WI the US bought Micronesia after the Spanish-American War?

And why didn't the US go ahead and do it? Instead the Spanish sold the islands to Germany.

If you are going to take the Philippines, why not secure your line of communications?
 
And why didn't the US go ahead and do it? Instead the Spanish sold the islands to Germany.

If you are going to take the Philippines, why not secure your line of communications?
They grabbed Guam as it was convenient. The rest of the islands had only nominal Spanish rule and were basically forgotten about until Germans lay claim to areas that the Spanish hadn't been on for centuries.
 
They grabbed Guam as it was convenient. The rest of the islands had only nominal Spanish rule and were basically forgotten about until Germans lay claim to areas that the Spanish hadn't been on for centuries.

This was my impression as well. Also, Guam was far away enough as it was. Micronesia is so geographically isolated it might as well been on Mars.
 
I think it's worth considering butterflies, though. The US could have taken the claim to Micronesia. It would seem to be completely insignificant at the time but might cause ripples later. What would be the consequences of a Micronesia that never had any German or Japanese presence?
 
I think it's worth considering butterflies, though. The US could have taken the claim to Micronesia. It would seem to be completely insignificant at the time but might cause ripples later. What would be the consequences of a Micronesia that never had any German or Japanese presence?
They get thrown together with Hawaii or the Philippines perhaps?
 
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