American Imperialism: Hawaii [1898]
Economic Motives:
The United States had several imperialist motives for the annexation of Hawaii in 1898. The main economic reason behind the decision was the significant interest of American businesses in Hawaii's sugar industry. At that time, American planters had deep investments in sugarcane plantations on the islands. With the passing of the 1890 tariff, which made Hawaiian sugar expensive for the US market, annexation would eliminate this tax barrier and allow American planters to profit even more from the industry.
Strategic Importance:
Strategically, Hawaii's location played a crucial role in the US decision to annex the islands. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii served as an ideal outpost for both military and commercial purposes. Its strategic location provided a midway point between the US mainland and other American Pacific possessions, such as Samoa and the future Philippines, which the US acquired around the same time. By annexing Hawaii, the US could establish a stronger presence in the Pacific region and enhance its military and trade capabilities.
Political Factors:
The political landscape also influenced the annexation of Hawaii. The overthrow of Queen Lili’uokalani in 1893 was instigated by American settlers on the islands who were concerned about potential disruptions to their economic and political power. This event paved the way for US intervention in Hawaiian affairs. Additionally, with the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Hawaii's strategic importance further increased, prompting the US government, under President McKinley, to move forward with annexation through a joint resolution.
Resistance and Statehood:
Despite opposition from Native Hawaiians, the US was able to overpower resistance and move towards annexation. While there was significant pushback from the indigenous population, including petitions and protests, the military strength and political maneuvers of the US prevailed. Hawaii began its journey towards statehood, first as a US territory in 1900 and eventually achieving statehood in 1959. The territorial constitution implemented in 1900, however, imposed restrictions on voting rights, reflecting the imperialist roots of Hawaii's path to statehood.