Answer:
The United States government gave territories a path to statehood, rather than colonizing them for a few reasons:
Constitutional Principles: The founding principles of the United States emphasized the rights of citizens to self-government and equal representation. The idea of colonizing territories and denying the inhabitants the right to vote and representation in the federal government would be inconsistent with these principles.
Political Considerations: The United States government recognized that it would be difficult to maintain control over territories indefinitely without causing political unrest or resistance. By offering a path to statehood, the government could demonstrate its commitment to democracy and self-government. It would also avoid the political risks and costs of colonialism.
Economic Benefits: The United States recognized that territories could become valuable economic assets if they were developed and integrated into the national economy. By offering a path to statehood, the government could incentivize economic growth and development in these territories. This move would ultimately benefit the entire country.
Moral Imperatives: The United States recognized the moral imperatives of granting full rights and representation to territories that it had acquired, whether through war or other means. By granting statehood, the government could acknowledge the legitimacy and sovereignty of these territories.This decision would also help fulfil its moral obligations to their inhabitants.
Step-by-step explanation: