John Lewis O'Sullivan, an intelligent writer, once stated that the young nation of the United States of America could be transformed into "an Empire of Liberty, stretching from Atlantic to Pacific." This statement describes the way many Americans felt. The Americans felt it was their God-given right to take over North America because they needed the land and resources to support their people. O'Sullivan came up with the term "Manifest Destiny" to describe this feeling. The methods used by the Americans in the pursuit of the manifest destiny were justified unless done through open war.

Most of the Americans actions in the acquisition of land were necessary strategic moves. The United States obtained Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico and The Midway Islands for reasons such as countering attacks or resources for industry. Hawaii was led by Polynesian royalty until 1893 when a coup was staged by American plantation...