The Annexation of Hawaii

In the 19th century, Hawaii was not a part of the United States. Hawaii was a kingdom, ruled by King Kalakaua, and then surpassed by his sister, who became Queen Liliuokalani. Hawaii was an economically important location for the United States. Since the 1790’s, American merchants would stop there on their way to China and India. Followed by the merchants came the Missionaries, who opened up schools and churches on the island. Sugar merchants also …

…named the president. President Cleveland ordered that the overthrown Queen be restored to her throne, because it was found that Stevens was responsible for the revolution, but Dole refused to surrender power. Cleveland refused to annex Hawaii unless the people of Hawaii favored it, and recognized the islands as the Republic of Hawaii. McKinley, who succeeded Cleveland as president, had Congress proclaim Hawaii as an American territory. Hawaii was finally admitted into the Union in 1959.