Hawaii and Imperialism

This page is all about the annexation of Hawaii and its Involvement in American Imperialism.




1. Ali'iolani Hale, the home of the Hawaiian Legislature, in the days before annexation.











This snapshot in history shows Ali'iolani Hale, where the Hawaiian legislator was held. This shows the state of the area before the United States started to get involved. The history of the islands is is seen by historians as  a slow, steady growth in population and the size of the various chiefdoms, which grew to cover many of the islands. Local chiefs, called aliÊ»i, ruled their settlements, and frquent to expand and defend their communities from rivals. Ancient Hawaii was also a caste-based society, very much like that of Hindus in India.
Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/44b.asp

2. Newspaper article regarding the Hawaiian Annexation

This newspaper article displays the general attitude from the American perspective about the Hawaiian annexation. One quote in big and bold letters says "here to stay", implying that the US was not only proud of its new 'prize', but they plan on occupying it for many years to come. When President William McKinley advocated annexation of the Republic of Hawaii in 1898, he said that "We need Hawaii as much and a good deal more than we did California. It is manifest destiny."

3. Annexation Ceremony on August 12, 1898.
This picture from the Annexation ceremony in front of Hawaii’s Iolani Palace projects the general emotions from the Americans on the topic of the Hawaiian annexation. People were overjoyed and excited about the newly gained territory and a few years later, the islands were renamed "The territory of Hawaii".

4. Political Cartoon of Grover Cleveland
The cartoon above is from the Kansas City Daily Journal, depicting the president at the time, Grover Cleveland, with a huge head, overshadowing the United States. This is meant to imply that the annexation decision to occupy Hawaii was mostly his idea, resulting in a very selfish choice.

5. Cartoon of Queen Liluokalani












This cartoon portrays Queen Liluokalani, the reigning monarch of Hawaii at the time of US interference, sitting on a throne while US troops point their guns toward her. This is referencing the conflict in 1893, where she was held under house arrest and was held at gunpoint until she signed a treaty to annex Hawaii to the United States. Fearing for her life and her supporters, she agreed to give up her land peacefully.
Source: http://moodleshare.org/mod/assign/view.php?id=972

6. Replica of U.S. House Resolution 259 of 1898 annexing Hawaii













This photograph shows governor Ingram Stainback, Admiral S.S. Murray, and United Air Lines stewardess Phyliss Pendell at the presentation for the annexation of Hawaii in 1898.  This joint resolution was voted on by the House of Representatives, resulting in Hawaii being "lawfully annexed".

7. American Sugar Growers Revolting Against the Hawaiian government

The photo above shows American sugar growers protesting against the Hawaiian government in the 1880's. They were helped by the US marines and eventually set up their own government with a liberal constitution in 1887. The new government was recognized by the US as well. Then, in 1891, Queen Liluokala took power, removing the old constitution and giving herself autocratic powers.

8. Article from the San Francisco Call about the Debate over the Annexation
This Article from the San Francisco Call show the arguments over the annexation of Hawaii between members of the House of representatives. These include people supporting it saying that it is a "military necessity" and those oppose saying that the US already has a good route to the Philippines, making the annexation useless.

9. 1993 Apology Resolution

This photo shows Bill Clinton signing the Apology Resolution into law in 1993. This document is basically an apology from the US government because of the Hawaiian annexation being done without the support of the native Hawaiian people. This was done right around the 100 year anniversary of the annexation and is very controversial.
10. Photo of the Dole Plantation
Sanford Ballard Dole became the president of the Republic of Hawaii and the first governor after the annexation. His cousin, James Drummond Dole, founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which became the Dole Food Company, a global business giant.

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