There were several reasons for American expansionism in the Pacific, but the most prominent motivation was economic interests. The United States saw the Pacific as an important region for trade and commercial opportunities. The acquisition of Hawaii, for example, provided the U.S. with a strategic naval base and access to the valuable sugar industry. Additionally, American businesses sought new markets to export goods and acquire raw materials. The U.S. believed that expansion in the Pacific would provide economic benefits and opportunities for growth.
