The US territorial expansions from 1867-1917 help us to understand the United States' global interests in the 19th and early 20th century as being driven by economic, political, and strategic motives. These expansions were motivated by a desire for raw materials, new markets, and access to strategic locations for military purposes.
For example, the acquisition of Alaska in 1867 gave the US access to valuable natural resources such as timber, minerals, and fish, while also providing a strategic location for military defense. The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 similarly provided a valuable location for naval bases and coaling stations, as well as a new market for American goods. The acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines after the Spanish-American War in 1898 also provided new markets and strategic locations for the US.
These territorial expansions are connected to the AP word theme of "Expansion and Integration," which refers to the ways in which societies and states expand and integrate with one another over time. The US territorial expansions during this period demonstrate the country's desire to expand its influence and integrate itself into the global economy and strategic landscape. The US became an imperial power, expanding its reach beyond its continental borders and seeking to project its power and influence around the world. This expansion and integration had far-reaching consequences for the US and the world, shaping the country's role in global affairs in the 20th century and beyond.