U.S. Imperialism begins

1. Name at least five factors that fueled American Imperialism.
The industrial revolution had made travel across the ocean possible
The Americans wanted to spread Christianity
They wanted new economic markets and resources
They wanted military ports to control the Pacific Ocean
Other countries wanted colonies so the U.S. had to compete to get there first

2. Choose two of the above five factors and describe them in your own words.
Because Hawaii and many other islands filled up the Pacific Ocean, the country that possessed Hawaii, which was directly in the center of the ocean, would have power over the entire Pacific. Also, the islands could serve as many naval ports and as coaling stations for more coal to fuel steamships.
With the economy and industry booming, the businesses had a thirst for more markets. Hawaii and the other islands had the resources for new industries like, for example, pineapples and sugar plantations.

3. What was known as “Seward’s Folly” and why?
Alaska was known as "Seward's Folly" because William Seward strongly supported it's purchase because he believed that it's resources were plentiful. People called it "Seward's Folly" because they thought it was a useless "ice box" and ridiculed him for insisting on buying it. They believed it wasn't worth the price.

4. What plantation-based product accounted for three-quarters of Hawaii’s wealth in the
mid-19th century and who controlled this product?
The plantation-based product that accounted for three quarters of Hawaii's wealth was the sugar plantations. This product was controlled by the United States.

5. Using as much detail as possible, outline the sequence of events that led to America gaining possession of Hawaii? In other words, why was the United States interested in these Pacific islands?
The U.S. was interested in Hawaii because it could benefit them in many ways. First of all, it was located directly in the center of the Pacific Ocean, and therefore control of Hawaii meant control of the Pacific. It had a great potential naval port, Pearl Harbor. It also had good resources for new markets. On the island, pineapples and sugar could be produced. Also, Hawaii was one of the many islands that could be used as a coaling station, where ships would stop for more coal for fuel. Furthermore, there was a competition between countries to settle in colonies, and Hawaii was a potential place.