American Imperialism:
Conquering the Island of Hawaii
Why did the United States conquer this
island kingdom?
Opening Vocabulary
Please define the following terms in your own words, using a chart format.
Term
Definition
Imperialism
When stronger nations extend their
policies on weaker nations.
Alfred T.
Mahan
Admiral who wanted to build up the Navy
to compete with other nations.
King who was influenced by the US
govn’t to hand over HI
King
Kalakaua
Queen
Liliuokalani
Sphere of
Influence
Kalakaua’s sister, who wanted a “Hawaii
for Hawaiians.”
The US influences the political, social &
economic culture of a region in the world
Sanford B.
Dole
He became the president of the Rep. of
HI
Picture
Why did the US want to expand?
US Expansion:
To compete
with
European
expansion
around the
world.
Washington was
afraid that HI
would fall under
Europe’s sphere
of influence.
To build up
American
military
(Naval) power.
To increase
markets.
US industries/
Admiral Mahan
agriculture
knew that a large
wanted resources
Navy needed
& markets
fueling stations.
to sell goods.
To bring
American
ideals to
“less fortunate”
peoples.
-Congressional
Church’s
missionaries
-Establish
Democracy
-”White Man’s
Burden”
American timeline in Hawaii
http://www.waimeaplantation.com/cookbook/images/caneboys.jpg
The Annexation of Hawaii

1887, US Navy acquire
Pearl Harbor as a
refueling station.


Pearl Harbor was the
best harbor.
Closer to west coast than
Midway Island.
http://www.mokuula.com/archive/photo005.shtml
The Annexation of Hawaii

1890, the McKinleyTariff Act caused
competition in sugar
trade.


Kekaha Sugar Company, Ltd.
Plantation owners were
upset.
Plantation owners were
looking at annexation.
The Annexation of Hawaii

1887, King Kalakaua
was forced to amend
the Hawai’ian
constitution


Only wealthy land
owners could then vote
1891, Kalakaua died &
his sister, Queen
Liliuokalani took the
throne.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~royalty/files/pix_hawaii1.html
The Annexation of Hawaii

Liliuokalani was a
nationalist


http://www.aloha.com/~hvguides/HotPics/Liliuokalani.html
Wanted to change back
the constitution.
1893, US Government
Minister to HI, John
Stevens brought in the
Marines to intimidate
Liliuokalani
The Annexation of Hawaii


The US sent up a
provisional government,
without support from
the indigenous peoples.
Due to pressure,
Queen Liliuokalani
gave up her throne to
the Committee of
Safety on Jan 17, 1893.

Hawaii was then led by
Sanford B. Dole

The cousin of fruit king
James Dole.
Hawaii was set up as an
American territory.
The Annexation of Hawaii
"Substantial wrong has thus been done
which a due regard for our national
character as well as the rights of the
injured people requires we should
endeavor to repair the monarchy."