I'm pretty sure its D not fully sure
Answer:
it was a gateway to the larger west in 1861
An abundance of natural resources including Salt and Gold minerals.
<span>The United States shared a common language and literature with Britain</span>
This is because both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were unincorporated territories of the United States with the U.S president as head of State. There was no need to patrol Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as the U.S blockade was against Cuba, not against the two U.S territories.