This document discusses the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in the late 19th century. It provides background on Hawaii initially being an independent sovereign nation and strategic location. It then describes how American business interests, with the support of the U.S. military, overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 and established a provisional government. This eventually led to Hawaii being annexed as a U.S. territory in 1897 under President McKinley despite some opposition who saw it as an illegal overthrow and annexation of a once independent nation.

1. The Age of
Chandni Shah
Block 4
Imperialism.
TARGET: HAWAII
Hawaiian Flag introduced in 1845
Hawaiian Flag after the overthrow of the
Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893
Flag re-adopted by the Republic of Hawaii in 1894

2. Where is Hawaii?

3. Why Hawaii?
Strategic Location along trade route to China (Fuel/rest
stop)
Fertile soil (for the production of sugar duty-free)
Naval base – Pearl Harbor
Desire to prevent a European power from controlling it

4. TARGET: Annexation

5. Until the 1890’s…….
Hawaii was a RECOGNIZED
independent sovereign nation.

6. Bayonet Constitution
• Imposed by Hawaiian League King Kalakaua
• Restricted influence of the crown
• Restricted rights of most Hawaiian “subjects” and citizens
• Was forcibly pressured into signing the document
FUN FACT: King Kalakaua’s last words before he
died were “Tell my people I tried”

7. Deposing Queen Liliuokalani
• Tries to promote Hawaiian Nationalism
and tried to create a frame for a new
constitution
“Hawaii for the Hawaiians”
• American sugar growers organize a revolt
against the queen in 1893
• John L. Stevens , American minister to
Hawaii, was backed by heavily armed
U.S. soldiers and marines
• Queen Liliokalani was arrested
• Sanford Dole became the provisional
president of Hawaii
• The Blount Report – Report sent by
President Cleveland to further investigate
the overthrow of the kingdom of Hawaii

8. Political Cartoons
On points of
bayonets soldiers are
holding up a round
platform upon which
sits a caricature of
Liliuokalani, feathers
in her hair, crown
askew, barefoot,
holding a paper
reading "scandalous
government", and
"gross immorality".

9. Political Cartoons (cont..)

10. AGAINST ANNEXATION
“The people to whom your fathers told of the
living God, and taught to call ‘Father’, and
whom the sons now seek to despoil and
destroy, are crying aloud to Him in their time
of trouble; and He will keep His promise, and
will listen to the voices of His Hawaiian
children lamenting for their homes.” Queen
Liliuokalani
“It is unnecessary to set forth the reasons
which in January, 1893, led a considerable
proportion of American and other foreign
merchants and traders residing at Honolulu
to favor the annexation of Hawaii to the
United States.” President Grover Cleveland

11. President McKinley
In 1897 however, President McKinley officially
annexed Hawaii, making it an American territory.