Why did Western nations want to colonize the Micronesian islands?
A.
The islands are located midway between Asia and North America, and ships needed places to refuel.
B.
The islands are in a tropical climate, and this made them ideal locations for growing citrus fruits.
C.
The islands are rich in natural minerals, which were needed for industrial manufacturing.
D.
The islands are the largest islands in the Pacific, which made them attractive as places to settle.
A. The islands are located midway between Asia and North America, and ships needed places to refuel.
How are the cultures of Australia and New Zealand different?
A.
A smaller percentage of Australians are descended from British and Irish people.
B.
Unlike Australia, New Zealand has attracted many immigrants from Asia.
C.
New Zealand has a higher proportion of indigenous people than Australia.
D.
In contrast to Australians, most New Zealanders are Christian.
C. New Zealand has a higher proportion of indigenous people than Australia.
Which of the following do Australia and New Zealand have in common with the United States?
A.
The constitution of each country includes a bill of rights.
B.
The governments of all three countries have a federal structure.
C.
All three countries are presidential republics.
D.
All three countries were once British colonies.
D. All three countries were once British colonies.
Use the drop-down menu to complete the sentence.
Because of its geography, New Zealand developed an economy that relies heavily on
Choose...
agriculture and tourism.
Use the drop-down menu to complete the sentence.
Because of its geography, New Zealand developed an economy that relies heavily on
A animal-based agriculture.
B coal and iron mining.
C tropical crops, such as sugarcane.
D manufacturing.
A animal-based agriculture.
To determine why Western nations wanted to colonize the Micronesian islands, we need to analyze the options provided and consider historical context.
Option A suggests that the islands were needed as refueling stations. This is a plausible answer because during the colonial era, ships often had to travel long distances between Asia and North America. Having a convenient stopping point for refueling and restocking supplies would have been advantageous for exploration, trade, and military purposes.
Option B indicates that the islands' tropical climate made them ideal for growing citrus fruits. While this may be true, it is unlikely to be the primary reason for colonization. The economic value of citrus fruits alone may not have been sufficient to justify colonizing the entire region.
Option C states that the islands are rich in natural minerals, which were needed for industrial manufacturing. While it is true that natural resources played a significant role in colonization, there is little evidence to suggest that the Micronesian islands were specifically colonized for their minerals. Other areas, such as Africa and the Americas, were more known for their abundance of resources.
Option D suggests that the islands' size made them attractive as settlement locations. While large islands could be desirable for settlement, especially for expansionist nations, the Micronesian islands are not necessarily the largest islands in the Pacific. Additionally, the size of the islands alone may not have been the main factor driving colonization.
Upon analyzing the options, the most likely answer is option A. The strategic location of the Micronesian islands, midway between Asia and North America, would have made them excellent refueling and restocking points for Western ships during the era of exploration, trade, and colonial expansion.