Annexing Hawaii

In the 1800’s the Americans found a place where they could refuel and resupply while going through the Pacific Ocean, the Samoan islands, they had one of the best harbors in the South Pacific. The U.S had permission to set base there. There were a lot of whale ships and merchants vessels that went through the Pacific Ocean so they usually would stop and rest on the island. In 1878 missionaries from New England arrived to Hawaii. The U.S settlers found that sugarcane grew very well in Hawaii’s climate and soil. After a while many business men had set up many plantations on the island.

In 1875 the Hawaiian’s were worried about the economic crises and then turned to the British and French for help. The United States signed a treaty, freeing the Hawaiian sugar from tariffs. When the treaty came up, the Senate insisted that Hawaii grant the United States exclusive rights to a naval base at Pearl Harbor. In 1891 Queen Liliuokalani ascended the Hawaiian throne. She really disliked the influence America was having in Hawaii, because of this planters wanted to overthrow the monarchy. They did get the Queen to step down and then asked the United States to annex Hawaii. Hawaii was annexed five years later.