Which territory did the United States acquire in 1917 to increase its Caribbean presence?

The acquisition of the Virgin Islands in 1917 was a strategic decision by the United States to enhance its presence in the Caribbean. The U.S. purchased these islands from Denmark for $25 million, motivated by a desire to protect maritime routes, defend the Panama Canal, and establish a stronger foothold in the region against potential threats from other powers, particularly Germany during World War I.

This move reflected broader imperialist ambitions, as the United States sought to expand its influence and secure vital trade routes in the aftermath of its earlier expansions. The Virgin Islands provided the U.S. with important naval bases and increased its territorial holdings in a geopolitically significant area.

While Puerto Rico and Guam were acquired earlier in the late 19th century through different contexts, and Cuba was technically a protectorate rather than a direct acquisition, the purchase of the Virgin Islands specifically in 1917 stands out as a distinct action aimed at strengthening U.S. interests in the Caribbean during a period of heightened global conflict.