Answer a question about this article:
This growing coalition expanded the potential enemies that Rome might face, and moved Rome closer to confrontation with major powers. The result was more alliance-seeking, on the part of both the Roman confederacy and city-states seeking membership (and protection) within that confederacy. While there were exceptions to this (such as military rule of Sicily after the First Punic War), it was not until after the Second Punic War that these alliances started to harden into something more like an empire, at least in certain locations. This shift mainly took place in parts of the west, such as the southern Italian towns that sided with Hannibal.
What did city-states hope to gain from the Roman confederacy?
membership (and protection)
The passage explains how the Roman confederacy expanded, causing more city-states to seek membership and protection. The context indicates that these cities wanted to be protected from Rome's enemies (such as Carthage), which is why they would want this kind of alliance with a larger state like Rome.
Therefore, the answer is ""membership (and protection)"" because it best expresses what city-states hoped to gain by joining the Roman confederacy.".