During the late 1890s, the United States was experiencing great economic growth. The need for new economic markets for America’s booming manufacturing stirred a growing number to look toward American expansionism as a legitimate means to increase American power in the world. At the same time, European countries had long been engaging in a foreign policy of colonizing areas away from their sovereign land. Imperialism is the belief that a country should expand to other lands for economic, political, and cultural reasons. The expansion of the American empire during this time opened up new markets and resources, expanded democracy, and spread Christianity. Admiral Alfred T. Mahan, in his 1890 book, The Influence of Sea Power in History, argued that without a dominant navy, a country would be excluded from the profitable world trade markets and natural resources. In response, the United States began to look beyond its borders for naval strongholds.
Hawaii is a chain of islands, an archipelago, located in the Central Pacific. Since the 1840s, keeping European powers out of Hawaii became a principal foreign policy goal of the United States. Around the middle of the 1800s, Americans began to migrate to the islands of Hawaii to start businesses, primarily in the booming pineapple
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An economic depression swept the islands because the Hawaiian sugar planters were losing money in the American market. The sugar growers, mostly white Americans, knew that if Hawaii were to be seized by the United States, the McKinley tariff would no longer affect them. Hawaii, at the time, was ruled by Queen Liliuokalani. She believed that the cause of Hawaii's difficulties was foreign interference. In 1893, the government of Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by foreign businessmen, mostly American sugarcane and pineapple
Eventually, the expansion to this area became imperialistic. Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, offered one of the most attractive natural bases in the Pacific. Soon other Americans followed to become sugar planters and to establish profitable businesses. Americans were busy building huge plantations, warehouses, railroads, dry-docks, banks, hotels, and stores. They soon dominated the island's economy, and they were able to influence its government as well. Americans created and controlled Hawaii's legislature and cabinet, and they limited the power of the native king. As the century began to come to a close, disputes arose between the Kanaka and those of foreign descent. "Hawaii for Hawaiians" became the slogan of people who sought to restore the traditional ways of the kingdom. Others called for the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. Annexation would eliminate the recent trade restrictions on sugar and revive the island's faltering economy. The imperialistic was taking over the islands.
During the 1900s, many more foreigners arrived in Hawaii to claim a large portion of Hawaii’s land. During this time Hawaiians were heavily affected because foreigners bought most of the land from Hawaiians and raised the price of the land so Hawaiians couldn’t buy the land back (Kuloku). Another thing is foreign tax collectors began to collect more taxes from Hawaiians, but, because Hawaiians made little to no money they had to sell their land in order to pay the taxes (Cachola). Also, foreigners taking over Hawaiian lands heavily affected the relationship between the Hawaiians and foreigners. When the foreigners arrived in Hawaii they treated as if the Hawaiians were the foreigners and the Hawaiians were treated unfairly. The Mahele was unjustified because it affected the Hawaiians lives forever, forced the Hawaiians to sell land due to taxes, and it heavily affected the two culture's relationship.
The Hawaiian Islands are well known for their beauty, tranquility, and unique culture that have shaped this state into what we see today. The special bond that the natives have formed between themselves and nature is not exactly one of a kind, but it is something that can truly be admired. Around approximately 300 AD, Hawaii was discovered by Polynesians who arrived by canoe from Tahiti. These migrants brought their polytheistic spirituality and formed a large intricate society with hierarchies consisting of many chiefs. Alongside the ruling of the chiefs, the newborn Hawaiians followed a strict belief system known as Kapu akua otherwise known as the “law of the gods”. The Kapu was a strict set of rules and restraints that dictated all aspects of ancient Hawaiian life, including political. These rules were used as a means to control the lives of lower class and female population in order to honor their gods and maintain balance within their Mana.
Through the use of the documents and events during two major-expansion time periods (1776-1880) and 1880-1914), I will display both the continuation and departure trends of United States expansionism. The departure from previous expansionism (up to 1880) developed alongside the tremendous changes and amplifications of United States power (in government, economics, and military.) The growth in strength and size of the United States' navy gave the country many more opportunities to grow, explore, and expand both in size and money. The better range and build of ships allowed the U.S. to enter the far-east "trade and money" lands of the Philippines (eventually a territory) and China. Because of the huge production of agricultural goods and the need for outputs and markets for these goods, the United States needed to find other places for shipping, trading, buying, and sellingand the far east was just the place.... ...
Thinking back through history, the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was a monumental, sadening take over. The Committee of Safety or the Annexationist were at a verbal war with power of the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii has been in the threat of annexation for a while and while some support the monarchy others despise it. For the Reciprocity Treaty to the Bayonet Constitution to the Spanish American War, all of these events lead up to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom mostly unfairly and illegally. The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was unjustified because of the unfairness and illegalness from the opponents such as, John Stevens and the secrecy from the Committee of Safety.
Many different groups today are seeking the sovereignty of Hawaii. The reason being that these mostly Native Hawaiian groups feel that they suffered a severe injustice when they were annexed into the United States against their own free will. They feel that since they were treated like objects rather than human beings with rights and emotions, they now deserve reparations. The intentions of the different groups vary. Some only want reparations in the form of money and acknowledgements of the inhuman acts that were committed against them and others want it in the form of independence for the island. However, restoring sovereignty to Hawaii would cause great injustices toward the non-natives living on the island today. So these groups should not be granted the sovereignty they are seeking.
In contrary to America's earlier beliefs, however, the race for expansion became more of a global competition than that of controlling the surrounding lands. Other countries were quickly scooping the remaining uncontrolled territories up, and America felt that they needed to stake their clam in imperialism around the world. The cartoon presented in document "A" shows how all the European countries were picking away at the lands still open for taking. In addition to the sense of "catching up" with the other nations around the world. America also felt that they were more powerful than ever, with the addition of an improving navy, turning their attention to the seas for conquer. During the earlier attempts of expansion, America had virtually no navy, which made oversea conquest out of their reach, leaving them only the surrounding areas for taking.
American Hawaii Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, it’s nice year-round weather, and its culture. Thousands of vacationers come to Hawaii each year to get away from the stressful city and relax. But do they know how cruel the Americans were to the natives? Do they know how we corrupted their culture and their religion? Do they know how Hawaii really became a state? Probably not. When most people think of Hawaii, they think of happy Hawaiian babes hula dancing and palm trees swaying in the warm breeze. Hawaii has still held on to many of their traditions although they were invaded by Americans. But you have to go to a museum to see their old way of life. Hawaii is now populated mostly by Americans. Native Hawaiians have adapted to our American lifestyle and much of their old traditions and beliefs are lost in history books. America dominated over the Hawaiians just as they did with the Native Americans. The Hawaiians didn’t even stand a chance against big brother. They probably feel the same way towards America just as a child does with stubborn parents. Now I will tell you about the history of Hawaii so you will see how the United States came to annex Hawaii. Hawaii was first inhabited by the Polynesians. They came in canoes from other islands around the pacific. They called the new found island "Hawaii", which means "home" in Polynesian language. Hawaii was their home until the white man came in and took advantage of these simple, happy aborigines. The corruption of this unique and fragile culture first started when Captain James Cook ran into the islands on January 18, 1778. After Cook’s discovery, many other foreigners (mostly American) visited the islands. They brought clothes, livestock, orange trees, horses weapons and souvigners. Foreigners also brought with them a handful of deadly diseases such as smallpox, measles, syphilis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. During the time period of Cook’s arrival in 1778 to 1820, the population of Hawaii dropped from 300,000 to 135,000 due to the diseases! Another problem was the introduction of alcohol. Like the native americans, Hawaiians were not immune to alcohol. Hawaiian’s were very sensitive to alcoholism. Hawaiians religion was a very complex one with many gods. They worshiped idols and they belived in many f...
After the civil war, United States took a turn that led them to solidify as the world power. From the late 1800s, as the US began to collect power through Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines, debate arose among historians about American imperialism and its behavior. Historians such as William A. Williams, Arthur Schlesinger, and Stephen Kinzer provides their own vision and how America ought to be through ideas centered around economics, power, and racial superiority.
Hawaii, a tropical state known to many, and originally founded by the Polynesians, is a dream vacation spot for people around the world. It is full of beaches, volcanoes, and unique wildlife. Hawaii was announced the 50th state of the United States of America in 1959, however, was not always accessible to outsiders. The island has a rich history of cultural and political independence behind them before being annexed by the United States.. Imperialism has changed Hawaii for the worse due to the wrath of the United States infringing the indigenous culture.
Americans were not the first nation to discover the group of islands now called Hawaii. Seafaring Polynesians, people of Polynesia, landed in Hawaii. Some Polynesians sailed to New Zealand and some went as far as the well known island called Easter Island. However, the first American to set foot on Hawaii is Captain James Cook. He arrived in Hawaii on January 18, 1778. He brought many goods to trade with the Hawaiian people and the people treated him well. James named Hawaii “Sandwich Islands” in the name of Earl of Sandwich; who was the first lord of the British Admiralty. Hawaii is the only state in the United States of America that is not connected to any other American state. Hawaii is last state that joined the United States, making it the fiftieth state on Aug. 21, 1959. Hawaii consists of a chain of 132 islands, with the main islands being Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. Hawaii’s population is over 1.392 million people. However, Hawaii’s economy and agriculture are very unique, thus making Hawaii a very diverse state.
Historically, Hawaii is known to have its own monarchy and also have its own start of an ancient civilization. In other words, the Ancient Hawaiian civilization is similar to the other Ancient Civilizations of China, Rome (Italy), Mesopotamia (Iraq)...
It was foreseen that these people would bring the end with them in their ships. The prophecy was ignored and they would all pay the ultimate price. Tensions were high as the ships came inland. The Hawaiian people didn’t exude their normal hospitality towards these strange newcomers. The men aboard the ships didn’t seem to care either as they had already claimed this land “Hawaii” as their own.
The United States made a threat to the Kingdom of Hawaii that they would overthrow the kingdom. The overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii began with a threat against Queen Liliuokalani on January 17, 1893 on the island of Oahu, by foreign residents residing in Honolulu, mostly United States citizens, and subjects of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The United States planned to overthrow Hawaii to make it the 50th state of America. Thousands of soldiers stood guard in front of Iolani Palace to make a statement to the queen by showing the power of their army. The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was unjustified because Queen Lili’uokalani was treated very unfairly during her reign and the Committee of Public Safety tried to make her reign short and surrender the kingdom to the
The royalty was passed to Queen Liliuokalani who concluded that the reason of Hawaii’s issues was