US Expansion: Hawaii & Dole Food Company

• Ideas and interests motivated the U.S. to create an empire in the late nineteenth century
• Global competition involved military strength, new markets and cultural superiority
• It is debated whether the U.S. had a savior complex

Hawaii

• The Bayonet Constitution in 1887 limited the power of the Hawaiian monarchy
• Native Hawaiians' rights to vote were removed and given to white property owners, businessmen, and politicians in 1887
• Queen Lili'uokalani became Queen in 1891
• Queen Lili'uokalani attempted to restore rights to Hawaiians
• U.S. businessmen planned a coup in response to the Queen's attempts to restore rights to Hawaiians
• Grover Cleveland conducted the "Blount Report"
• The "Blount Report" found that Hawaii was run by an oligarchy and the overthrow was illegal
• Congress initially denied annexation, but annexation began eventually

Dole Food Company

• Sandford B. Dole, cousin of the Dole Food Co. founder, led the Committee of Safety, which staged a coup
• The company led companies to buy land for low prices
• Sandford Dole controlled labor practice and land ownership laws

Annexation of Hawaii

• In 1820, American missionaries arrived, followed by traders and plantation owners who took over Hawaii's sugar industry
• In 1887, the Bayonet Constitution stripped the Hawaiian king of power, giving control to wealthy Americans and Europeans
• In 1891, Queen Liliʻuokalani tried to restore Hawaiian independence
• In 1893, American-backed Sanford Dole led a coup, overthrowing the queen with U.S. military support
• In 1898, the U.S. annexed Hawaii for its strategic location during the Spanish-American War
• In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state

Spanish-American War (1898)

• Cuba fought for independence from Spain
• The U.S. supported Cuba because of economic interests and yellow journalism
• The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor
• Newspapers blamed Spain, increasing calls for war
• The War lasted 3.5 months
• Key battles took place in Cuba (San Juan Hill – Theodore Roosevelt) and the Philippines (Manila Bay – George Dewey)
• The Treaty of Paris in 1898 ended the war
• The U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines (bought for $20 million) from Spain
• Cuba became independent but had to accept the Platt Amendment
• The Platt Amendment allowed U.S. control over Cuban foreign policy and a naval base at Guantanamo Bay
• The Philippines rebelled against U.S. rule
• Fighting ended and the Philippines got independence in 1915

Yellow Journalism

• Sensationalized, exaggerated news stories influenced public opinion
• Key figures: William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) and Joseph Pulitzer (New York World)
• Fake news fueled war fever by falsely blaming Spain for the USS Maine explosion
• Yellow journalism helped push the U.S. into war, leading to America's rise as a global power

Theodore Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

• "Speak softly and carry a big stick" – Roosevelt's approach emphasized diplomacy backed by military strength
• Roosevelt expanded the U.S. Navy, sending the Great White Fleet on a global tour to showcase American power and the Panama Canal
• Roosevelt created National and State Parks after his wife and daughters died

The Panama Canal

• The U.S. wanted a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for military and trade benefits
• Early attempts failed: France tried but went bankrupt due to disease and high costs
• In 1901, the U.S. secured rights to build a canal but failed to reach a deal with Colombia (which controlled Panama)
• In 1903, with U.S. warship support, Panama declared independence from Colombia
• The U.S. negotiated a treaty with Panama, securing control over the Canal Zone in exchange for annual payments and a guarantee of Panamanian independence
• In 1914, the Panama Canal was completed, strengthening U.S. global influence

Explore the motivations behind U.S. empire-building in the late 19th century, focusing on global competition and cultural ideologies. Examine the events in Hawaii, including the Bayonet Constitution, Queen Lili'uokalani's reign, and the role of U.S. businessmen in the overthrow and subsequent annexation. Learn about the controversial involvement of the Dole Food Company.