The Annexation of Hawaii by the United States: Economic Interests and Imperialism

What industry were Americans involved in Hawaii? How did this lead to the American annexation of Hawaii?

American businessmen became heavily involved in the sugar industry in Hawaii.

Answer:

The Americans were involved in the lucrative sugar industry in Hawaii, which drove the United States to annex the islands due to economic interests and their strategic location.

The Americans were primarily involved in the sugar industry in Hawaii. This involvement led to the annexation of Hawaii due to the economic interests and strategic importance the islands held for the United States. In the late 19th century, American businessmen took advantage of reciprocal trade agreements, making Hawaii's sugar effectively tariff-free when exported to the U.S. Consequently, the bustling sugar industry in Hawaii was closely tied to the American market.

When Queen Liliuokalani sought to implement reforms that threatened the Americans' economic interests in the 1890s, American businessmen and government officials collaborated to overthrow her in a quick, armed revolt. They established a provisional government led by Sanford Dole, a local pineapple magnate. The strategic position of Hawaii during the Spanish-American War further motivated the U.S to annex the islands in 1898, emphasizing their importance in the Pacific for military and trade routes, especially between the newly acquired Philippines and the prospective Central American canal.

Although native Hawaiians attempted to resist the overthrow and annexation, the presence of the U.S. military and political maneuvers in Congress eventually led to Hawaii's annexation. It was seen as part of a larger trend of American expansionism and imperialism at the turn of the century. Hawaii was put on the path to statehood and received territorial status in 1900, and it later achieved statehood in 1959.