Question

question 7
5 pts

(03.01 lc)

why were the pacific islands (midway islands, samoa, etc.) important to the united states?

• the u.s. needed more raw materials.
• the u.s. wanted to create sugar plantations.
• the u.s. wanted to fight piracy in the pacific.
• the u.s. wanted safe ports for its ships in asia.

Explanation:

Analyze the strategic value of Pacific Islands

Using the Pacific Expansion and American Imperialism knowledge points
During the late 19th century, the United States expanded its influence across the Pacific Ocean, acquiring territories like the Midway Islands and parts of Samoa. These small islands lacked massive populations or abundant agricultural resources, but their geographic locations made them ideal coaling stations and naval bases.

Evaluate the role of maritime trade and naval power

Using the Alfred Thayer Mahan knowledge point
As the U.S. increased its trade with East Asian markets, merchant and naval steamships required reliable refueling stops. Securing these islands provided safe, strategic deepwater ports to service, repair, and coal American vessels en route to Asia.

Assess the incorrect options

• Raw materials: Small Pacific atolls like Midway did not possess significant raw materials.
• Sugar plantations: While Hawaii was highly valued for sugar, smaller islands like Midway and Samoa were not acquired primarily for large-scale sugar cultivation.
• Fighting piracy: Suppressing piracy was not the primary driver of late 19th-century U.S. territorial acquisition in the Pacific.

Answer:

• (A) The U.S. needed more raw materials.
• (B) The U.S. wanted to create sugar plantations.
• (C) The U.S. wanted to fight piracy in the Pacific.
• (D) The U.S. wanted safe ports for its ships in Asia. (Correct answer)