History of Oceania

Why did larger countries take over smaller countries?

There are a variety of reasons why larger countries have taken over smaller countries throughout history. Some of the most common reasons include:

* Economic reasons: Larger countries may seek to acquire the resources of smaller countries, such as land, minerals, or labor. For example, the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898 in part to gain access to its agricultural resources and strategic location in the Pacific Ocean.

* Political reasons: Larger countries may also annex smaller countries for political reasons, such as to expand their territory or to gain control of a strategically important location. For example, Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 in part to increase its access to the Black Sea and to bolster its military presence in the region.

* Cultural reasons: Larger countries may also annex smaller countries for cultural reasons, such as to spread their own culture or to protect their own citizens from perceived threats. For example, France annexed Algeria in 1830 in part to spread French culture and to protect its Christian population from Muslim persecution.

* Military reasons: Larger countries may also annex smaller countries for military reasons, such as to establish a military base or to gain control of a strategic location. For example, the United States annexed Puerto Rico in 1898 in part to gain a military base in the Caribbean Sea.

It is important to note that these are just some of the most common reasons why larger countries have taken over smaller countries. There are many other factors that can contribute to annexation, and the specific reasons for any given annexation will vary depending on the circumstances.