Why did Alaska and Hawaii become part of America?
440392
Alaska was bought from Imperial Russia by the United States, while the pan-handle was given away to the U.S. by the accomodating British.  Hawaii was stolen out from under the Hawaiians by the U.S. military supporting American business interests there.  The Hawaiians had a popular monarchy and a popular government.  However, when they attempted to protect their own, to the detriment of the American businessmen, the monarchy was deposed and the country occupied.  Probably the fate that will one day befall Canada.
120168
no, alaska is still u.s.
99705
Alaska was purchased for $7.2 million in 1867 ($134 million in 2005 dollars) from Russia.  It has been a wonderful purchase since it has provided so much oil for the USA.  It was not well received when it was purchased.  But in hindsight, it was a great purchase.
200736
Alaska was 'bought' by the US, from Russia, I guess for less than $7.2 million.And that was way back in 1867 !!\n\nI guess the http links pasted here are not working....try out Yahoo search or Google
347364
Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959, making a total of 50 states. They had been territories prior to that.
623402
America became a free country
854386
Hawaii maybe but not alaska
48382
Alphabetically: Alaska and Hawaii
62313
The seafloor on which the islands were built is continually moving northwestward across the hot spot at a rate of 7-9 cm per year.  The northwest Hawaii island chain actually merges along a rift line with the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, all part of the same family.  This has been going on for millions/billions of years.  Most of the islands, however, never meet a continental land mass, since islands formed from lava rock are highly unstable.  In fact, Molokai used to be part of a larger island since it was connected to Maui and Oahu in the past (they have a name for it, but I forgot).  There is evidence in Alaska of a tsunami caused by a large mass sliding into the ocean on the north side of this large, 3-part island, creating the world's tallest sea cliffs on Molokai (3000 feet tall).  Of course this happened LONG ago, but can happen at any time.  Most of the northeast sides of all of the Hawaiian islands are in danger of large avalanches into the sea because it is the predominantly windward side of the islands, creating large amounts of rainfall and thus increasing the instability and erosion.  And don't forget, earthquakes happen EVERY DAY.  All it takes is one big one and Alaska, Japan, California, Russia, Australia, and even Hawaii too  could feel the effects from the ensuing tsunami.
525962
Puerto Rico belongs to the USA but is not a state..it is considered a province( I believe)  In the 60's, all the countries were communist or a monarche.  I think all but Puerto Rico still is.  Therefore, since the countries were totalitarian in nature, the ppl fled to freedom.  The cities included Florida, NYC, CA and AZ...and by the way they are still coming but for different reasons even though the governments are still the same.
319943
Alaska is the biggest state in terms of size of land.
486731
50 states, and lots of other islands, etc. that are governed by us, such as Puerto Rico and American Samoa.  They wish they were states.\n\nSamoa, and Washington DC both have people in them, who for various reasons, wish to become states, but congress is to busy for their appeals.
942207
America because it is the land of the free.
595302
Because the united-statesians think they are the center of the universe.  Many will argue that there is only ONE America.  I think the US is the only COUNTRY with America in its name, but they forget that all of North, Central, and South America are THE Americas.
658577
The reason that land belongs to the United States is because the people that lived there at the time wanted to be a part of the United States, not Mexico. Apparently, nobody wants to live in Mexico since they all want to come here. I wouldn't want to live in Mexico. If I were a Mexican citizen I would want the whole country of Mexico to become part of the United States.
60456
McKinley 6.194 Alaska  North America
457490
Alaska is approximately 1,480 miles long and 810 miles wide. Alaska covers 656,425 square miles, making it the largest of the 50 states and more than twice the size of Texas, the second largest state. Land Area 570,374 square miles of Alaska are land areas Water Area 86,051 square miles of Alaska are covered by water.