Annexation of Hawaii and US Expansion

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Questions and Answers

What was the name of the warrior-king who united the Hawaiian Islands?

Kamehameha the Great

Besides trade, what was the primary interest of Americans and Europeans in Hawaii in the 1820s?

Missionary work or spreading Christianity

What was the primary economic activity that white settlers in Hawaii pursued after initial missionary work?

Sugar plantation or sugar industry

How did the Treaty of Reciprocity impact the Hawaiian sugar industry?

<p>It allowed tariff-free import of sugar to the USA or it increased exports to the USA</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the group of businessmen and politicians that was also known as the Annexation Club?

<p>The Hawaiian League</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the constitution that King Kalakaua was forced to sign, and what was its main effect?

<p>The Bayonet Constitution; it stripped the king of most of his power and gave it to the members of the Hawaiian League.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who succeeded King Kalakaua and what action did she attempt to take regarding the Bayonet Constitution?

<p>His sister, Lili'uokalani; she attempted to rescind the Bayonet Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Honolulu Rifles during the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy?

<p>They marched toward Lili’uokalani’s palace which was a major part of the coup.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the stated purpose of the US troops landing in Honolulu, and what was their real impact?

<p>Their stated purpose was to protect American interests; their presence provided leverage that allowed the League to succeed in their coup.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two factors that led to native Hawaiians becoming a minority in their own land.

<p>Immigration from the mainland United States and immigration from large parts of Asia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Annexation of Hawaii

The annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898, marked by political intrigue and economic interests.

Kingdom of Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands became a sovereign Kingdom under Kamehameha the Great, unifying the various islands by conquest in the late 18th century.

Missionaries' role in Hawaii

Christian missionaries, settling in Hawaii, played a key role in spreading Christianity among the native population, but later shifted their focus towards economic interests.

The Annexation Club

Powerful businessmen and politicians in Hawaii sought to annex Hawaii to the US, forming the Annexation Club, also known as the Hawaiian League.

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Treaty of Reciprocity

The Treaty of Reciprocity, signed in 1875, enabled Americans to import Hawaiian sugar tariff-free, significantly boosting the Hawaiian sugar industry.

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The Hawaiian League

A group of wealthy white businessmen who owned sugar plantations in Hawaii and sought to control the government for their own benefit.

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The Honolulu Rifles

A group of Hawaiian-born, white soldiers, who helped the Hawaiian League gain control of the Hawaiian government.

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The Bayonet Constitution

A constitution forced upon King Kalakaua by the Hawaiian League, which stripped him of most of his power.

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Minority Status of Native Hawaiians

The native Hawaiian population has decreased significantly due to immigration from the United States and other countries.

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Study Notes

Annexation of Hawaii

  • Hawaii was a sovereign kingdom for a century before becoming part of the US.
  • The islands were inhabited since at least 1000 AD, uniting in the 19th century under King Kamehameha I. He conquered neighboring islands in 1795.
  • American and European interest in Hawaii began in the 1820s, primarily with Christian missionaries, but later shifted towards exploiting the sugar industry.
  • Native Hawaiians were a minority in land ownership, wealth, and power by the mid-19th century.
  • A significant growth of American influence in Hawaiian political affairs is evident as four of five advisors in the 1845 Hawaiian cabinet were white Americans and a Scot.

US Expansion and Sugar Industry

  • US westward expansion coincided with the rise of the Hawaiian sugar industry.
  • The Treaty of Reciprocity allowed the US to import Hawaiian sugar tariff-free, boosting exports by over 700% between the treaty's signing and 1890.
  • The sugar industry profits did not benefit ordinary Hawaiians, but the monarchy still received a portion.

Formation of the Hawaiian League and the Bayonet Constitution

  • In 1887, a group called "the Annexation Club" or "the Hawaiian League," gained control of Hawaiian troops (Honolulu Rifles) and forced King Kalakaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution.
  • This constitution stripped the King of most power, giving it to the League members, including Peter C. Jones (head of a large sugar company) and Sanford B. Dole (future Dole Foods founder).

Queen Lili'uokalani and the Coup

  • King Kalakaua died in 1891 and was succeeded by his sister, Queen Lili'uokalani.
  • She used popular support from Native Hawaiians to try to repeal the Bayonet Constitution; however, the Hawaiian League wanted complete control.
  • On January 17, 1893, the Honolulu Rifles and US troops (with US ambassador John Stevens's orchestration for Marines and sailors from USS Boston) assisted in the removal of Queen Lili'uokalani.
  • Queen Lili'uokalani surrendered , and a failed rebellion to restore the monarchy followed.
  • The Republic of Hawaii was then proclaimed with Dole as president.

US Annexation and Legacy

  • Despite President Cleveland's objections on moral grounds, Hawaii was subsequently annexed in 1898.
  • Dole became Hawaii's first governor.
  • Native Hawaiians protested the annexation and subsequent statehood (1959); leading to a significant minority status of Hawaiians.

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