U.S. Gains from the Philippines and Hawaii (1898)

Acquiring the Philippines and Hawaii gave the U.S. both economic and strategic advantages:

Economic

• New markets for U.S. goods.
• Raw materials: sugar, hemp, timber.
• Investment opportunities: plantations, mining.

Strategic

• Extended Pacific influence and power projection.
• Naval bases (Pearl Harbor, Subic Bay).
• Coaling stations for steam-powered navy.

These territories became pillars of American Pacific presence into the 20th century.