2. Economic interests: Hawaii's sugar industry was booming in the late 19th century, and American businessmen had significant investments in the islands. Annexation would ensure that these investments would be protected and that the United States would have access to Hawaiian sugar.
3. Manifest destiny: Many Americans believed that it was the United States' destiny to expand its territory across the North American continent and the Pacific Ocean. Annexation of Hawaii was seen as a natural step in this process.