What motivation primarily drove U.S. expansionism in the Pacific in the late 19th century?

The primary motivation driving U.S. expansionism in the Pacific during the late 19th century was resource extraction and strategic military positioning. As the U.S. emerged as an industrial power, there was a growing need for new markets to sell its goods and access to raw materials, which were increasingly found in the Pacific territories. The acquisition of territories like Hawaii and the Philippines allowed for the establishment of coaling stations and naval bases, enhancing the U.S. military presence and facilitating trade routes critical for both commercial and strategic interests.

Furthermore, the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which had propelled westward expansion across the North American continent, extended into a belief that the U.S. was destined to influence and control territories in the Pacific. This included a focus on not just economic benefits but also the strategic importance of holding ports and locations that could serve as military outposts, especially as tensions with other imperial powers, such as Japan and European nations, were growing.

In contrast, strict immigration control, isolationist policies, and the promotion of indigenous rights did not drive the expansionist agenda of this era. The focus was primarily on enhancing American economic and military might rather than on managing immigration or advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples. The mindset of the era leaned more