What Led American Planters in Hawaii to Stage a Revolution in 1890?

A Brief History of Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States. Originally settled by Polynesians, Hawaii became a unified kingdom in 1810 under King Kamehameha I. The islands were prized for their fertile soil and ideal climate, attracting American and European settlers.

American Planters in Hawaii

By the late 19th century, American planters had established large sugarcane plantations in Hawaii. These planters, often descendants of American missionaries, wielded significant economic and political power on the islands. They lobbied for favorable trade agreements with the United States, benefiting from the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 which eliminated tariffs on Hawaiian sugar exported to the US.

The Revolution of 1890

In 1890, a group of American planters, discontent with the rule of Queen Liliuokalani, staged a coup d'état and overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy. They established a provisional government led by Sanford Dole, a prominent planter and future territorial governor. The planters were motivated by a desire to further expand their economic interests and secure their power in the islands.

Call for U.S. Protection

Following the revolution, the American planters in Hawaii swiftly moved to annex the islands to the United States. They sought U.S. recognition and protection for their new government, fearing retaliation from the overthrown monarchy or potential intervention by other foreign powers. The planters believed that U.S. annexation would safeguard their economic interests and ensure stability in Hawaii.

The Annexation of Hawaii

With the support of the U.S. government, Hawaii was annexed as a U.S. territory in 1898. The American planters had successfully achieved their goal of integrating Hawaii into the United States, positioning themselves to benefit from closer economic ties and increased political influence. Hawaii remained a territory until achieving statehood in 1959.

What led American planters in Hawaii to stage a revolution in 1890 and call on the U.S. for protection?

Their desire to expand their economic interests and secure their power in Hawaii prompted American planters to stage a revolution in 1890. They called on the United States for protection to ensure the stability of their newly established government and safeguard their economic interests in the islands.