1. Strategic Location: Puerto Rico's strategic location in the Caribbean made it a valuable acquisition for the United States, particularly from a military perspective. The island's location provided a base from which the US Navy could monitor and control access to the region and protect its interests in the Caribbean and beyond.
2. Economic Interests: Puerto Rico had a thriving sugar industry, and the US saw an opportunity to gain access to this valuable commodity. By controlling Puerto Rico, the US could secure a steady supply of sugar for its own consumption and also potentially use the island as a base for expanding trade with other countries in the region.
3. Desire for Expansion: The late 19th century was a period of intense competition among European powers for colonies and resources. By occupying Puerto Rico, the United States joined the ranks of these colonial powers and demonstrated its growing dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
4. Manifest Destiny: The prevailing ideology of Manifest Destiny, which promoted the idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory from coast to coast, also played a role in the US desire to occupy Puerto Rico.
It's important to note that the occupation of Puerto Rico and the subsequent establishment of US colonial rule were controversial and sparked resistance and discontent among many Puerto Ricans.
