The peculiarity of American institutions is, the fact that they have been compelled to adapt themselves to the changes of an expanding people—to the changes involved in crossing a continent, in winning a wilderness, and in developing at each area of this progress out of the primitive economic and political conditions of the frontier into the complexity of city life. Which action was an example of the process described in this excerpt?

aiding Cuba to gain independence

allying with Canada to establish free trade

meeting with Japan to discuss immigration

annexing Hawaii to acquire natural resources