Queen+Lilioukalani

U.S. expansionists had wanted the Hawaiin islands for the decades that American missionaries and entrepreneurs had been settling on the Pacific islands. In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani, the monarch, was overthrown by American settlers but President Cleveland was against the annexation of the islands. When war broke out in the Philippines while McKinley was in office it provided an opportunity for Congress and the President to completely annex Hawaii. The process was completed in 1898. In 1900, Hawaii became a U.S. territory, and in 1959, it became the 50th state.



When the Queen first took the throne in 1891, the McKinley Tariff, which had been passed in 1890, had taken a toll on Hawaiian economics. Americans considered annexation as a way of keeping the important sugar trade they had with the islands a peaceful transaction. When the Queen tried to increase the power she had by amending the constitution, an group of sugar planters and mostly American businessmen, led by Sanford B. Dole, sought to [|overthrow] the monarchy. They feared that they would suffer from a loss of revenue and influence. To avoid any bloodshed, the Queen yielded her throne and a provisional government was established.

Sources: Amsco [|Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center] [|Teacher's Domain]