PacificExpansion

Essay
 * How and why did the U.S. acquire Samoa?
 * The U.S. Navy focused on the Samoan Islands in the Pacific, where it sought access to port of Pago Pago as a fueling station. Britain and Germany had ambitions in Samoa as well, and in March 1889 the United States and Germany narrowly avoided a naval clash when a hurricane wrecked both fleets. Negotiations began between United States, Great Britain and Germany and all three establish a three-way "protectorate" over the islands.
 * How and why did the Hawaiian Islands become a U.S. territory?
 * U.S. attention shifted to Hawaiian Island because of the increase in sugar and pineapple production. Hawaii's importance started after World War II ended in 1945. Since August 21, 1959, Hawaii was admitted to the union as our 50th state. Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii was the last monarch to the Hawaiian Islands. She got overthrown when Hawaii was annexed. Mark Twain once called Hawaii "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies in any ocean."

Images

State Bird-Hawaiian Nene Goose State Flower-Red Hibiscus State Seal & Motto State Flag

Source List
 * http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/modern/hawaii_3
 * The book