Question

What was the main economic benefit for the U.S. in acquiring Hawaii?

It gave the U.S. access to large oil reserves.
It secured U.S. control over the sugar industry.
It created a new market for exported American goods.
It established a new area for American settlement.

Answer 1

It secured U.S. control over the sugar industry.

American planters dominated Hawaii’s sugar production and annexation protected their markets and profits (by avoiding tariffs) and strengthened U.S. economic and strategic interests in the islands.