Question
How did American political leaders justify acquisition of territories like Hawaii and Alaska?
by claiming these territories would pay high taxes for protection
by claiming these territories would bring their cultures to the United States
by claiming these territories would be military threats if not acquired by the United States
by claiming these territories would elevate the US military’s power and support its navy
by claiming these territories would pay high taxes for protection
by claiming these territories would bring their cultures to the United States
by claiming these territories would be military threats if not acquired by the United States
by claiming these territories would elevate the US military’s power and support its navy
Answers
GPT-4o mini
American political leaders justified the acquisition of territories like Hawaii and Alaska primarily **by claiming these territories would elevate the US military's power and support its navy**.
In the case of Hawaii, its strategic location in the Pacific was seen as essential for military and naval operations, particularly following the establishment of Pearl Harbor as a significant U.S. naval base. The acquisition of Alaska likewise had military implications, as it extended the U.S. reach in the Arctic and provided resources and land that were strategically beneficial.
While the idea of economic benefits, including taxes, and arguments about cultural influence were part of the broader discourse on expansion, the primary justification in terms of national security and military strategy played a central role in the promotion of these territorial acquisitions.
In the case of Hawaii, its strategic location in the Pacific was seen as essential for military and naval operations, particularly following the establishment of Pearl Harbor as a significant U.S. naval base. The acquisition of Alaska likewise had military implications, as it extended the U.S. reach in the Arctic and provided resources and land that were strategically beneficial.
While the idea of economic benefits, including taxes, and arguments about cultural influence were part of the broader discourse on expansion, the primary justification in terms of national security and military strategy played a central role in the promotion of these territorial acquisitions.