Final answer:
The acquisition of Hawaii provided economic benefits, a strategic location, and expanded influence for the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several reasons why purchasing Hawaii made a benefit to the US:
- Economic benefits: The elimination of tariffs on Hawaiian sugar allowed for a dramatic increase in sugar exports to the United States, which boosted the Hawaiian economy. Additionally, American investors found success in the sugar cane industry in Hawaii.
- Strategic location: Hawaii was strategically located in the Pacific and served as a vital port for whaling and merchant ships. Its harbors were valuable for naval strategists, and it provided a strategic military base in the Pacific (Pearl Harbor) to protect American trade.
- Expansion of influence: Acquiring Hawaii expanded the United States' influence in the Pacific, allowing for further expansion to other Pacific Islands such as Guam and the Philippines.