Final answer:
The acquisition of Hawaii in 1898 is an example of American imperialism, reflecting the strategic interest in controlling maritime routes and the sugar industry, and followed by a political maneuver to annex the territory with less opposition during the Spanish-American War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 is an example of American imperialism. This geopolitical strategy aimed to extend the power and dominion of the United States through direct acquisition of territories or by exerting indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas. The process of acquiring Hawaii was preceded by the strategic interests of American businessmen in the sugar industry and the geopolitical interest in controlling a naval base at Pearl Harbor. The annexation was finalized during the Spanish-American War, a period where acquiring strategic outposts was particularly significant for enhancing America's global military reach and economic influence.
Opposition from Native Hawaiians was significant, as nearly every resident of the island signed petitions against annexation. However, during the war, the strategic value of Hawaii was deemed paramount, and a political maneuver allowed the resolution to pass with a simple majority rather than the two-thirds majority required for treaty ratification. The annexation reflected the pursuit of strategic military bases, highlighted by Alfred Mahan's advocacy for a stronger navy, and fulfilled a vision of empire that sought to dominate key maritime routes and regions aligned with U.S. economic and military interests.