For myself, I would have chosen death rather than to have signed it; but it was represented to me that by my signing this paper all the persons who had been arrested, all my people now in trouble by reason of their love and loyalty towards me, would be immediately released. Think of my position, – sick, a lone woman in prison, scarcely knowing who was my friend, or who listened to my words only to betray me, without legal advice or friendly counsel, and the stream of blood ready to flow unless it was stayed by my pen.“10
By 1897, William McKinley had become president, and he was quickly swayed by several annexationists and expansionists. He signed a treaty of annexation and submitted it to the Senate for approval. After serving her sentence, Queen Liliʻuokalani appeared in Washington the day the Senate opened with other delegates from Hawaiʻi to provide testimony and the signatures of native Hawaiians who opposed the movement for annexation. When the delegates left Washington in February, they were successful in having persuaded enough senators to vote against the treaty so that it would not pass.11 Although this was an incredible victory, there were more unfortunate events to come that would detract from the progress they made that year. In 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. In an effort to gain a strategic position that would gain them the upper hand in the war, they insisted that they needed to use Hawaiʻi as a coaling station for the ships they would deploy in the Philippines. On July 6, Congress passed a joint resolution titled the Newlands Resolution that ultimately claimed Hawaii as a United States territory. Even today, tensions still persist among native Hawaiians who feel strong opposition for Hawaiʻi’s having been annexed. As a way to acknowledge these events and offer an apology, the United States Congress, in 1993, on the “100th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii,” passed Public Law 103-150. One measure reads,The Congress … expresses its commitment to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, in order to provide a proper foundation for reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people.12
The movement to retain Hawaiʻi was initially pursued as a means of dominating the sugar market and to gain private property. As time evolved, a sense of nationalism dawned over the movement in the midst of the Spanish-American War. It is this sense of protecting American interests that, in part, appropriated the movement. The militarization of the Hawaiian Islands is what eventually enabled the United States to establish themselves as a prominent Pacific power. Congress has acknowledge the actions that led to the annexation and has issued a form of apology in regards to the tension that still persists. They have made it a point to offer their sympathetic words through a Public Law as a way to salvage a relationship between the United States and native Hawaiians. The importance of this relationship lies in the vital role that Hawaiʻi continues to play in the United State’s position in the Pacific.
annexation
Hawaiʻi
Gabriela Serrato
This article has a vey great importance because it highlights some factors in history that are not beautiful or to be proud of. It is hard to imagine what the world would look like today if people’s homes were not taken over. Not only was their territory stolen from them, but their land was only looked at as being valuable for its resources. The people were ignored in order for dominating counties to make money and claim power. This was a very informative article and I feel more educated now that I read it.
08/09/2017
2:46 pm
Karla Chavana
Hawaii the beautiful destination many Americans wish to visit. Who would have thought that the land was stolen and the natives were redirected to other lesser areas? This is one of the many shameful things this nation has done in the name of “justice”. Consequently, this is a different version of the never ending story of the U.S invading territory and claiming it as their own. Great article, very articulate.
10/09/2017
2:46 pm
Abigale Carney
Very interesting article! I have never heard the true story of how America brought in Hawaii. It is sad that all of American land was seized rather than traded or bought. Forcing the natives off of the land is a disgrace, and I do not believe that America would do that today. Hawaii’s valuable resources made the land so much more appealing for the Americans, but I wish we had not taken Hawaii in the way that we did.
20/09/2017
2:46 pm
Mario Sosa
I was unaware of Hawaii having a monarchy, let alone the problems that arose in the US annexing Hawaii. It was a surprise to me how president Grover Cleveland opposed the annexation of Hawaii despite what the American missionaries wanted. Militarizing Hawaii is a hard decision to make – Is it better for the natives to keep their economy and be free, or to establish a military to dominate the Pacific? This was a very well made informative article, great job!
21/09/2017
2:46 pm
Ashley Tumlinson
I’ve never really read much into the annexation of Hawaii. However, your article kept me intrigued throughout. It was quite saddening to read about how man did not value other man, but only the land they occupied. Simultaneously, it was eye-opening to read about how far back our governmental corruption actually goes – in relation to the ‘under the table’ agreements happening by the president at the particular time.
03/10/2017
2:46 pm
Clarissa Bustamante
I was completely unaware of the annexation of Hawaii. By reading this article I feel like I learned a lot. It is really shocking how Queen Lili ‘uokalani in Hawaii had her brothers forced before her so that she could sign a constitution that would affect the Native Hawaiians. I can’t believe how the U.S. President would work with Queen Lili ‘uokalani. It is surprising how a leader of any country would “work under the table” when they know that by doing this would put their country and nation in risk.
10/10/2017
2:46 pm
Christopher Hohman
Nice article. It is weird to think that a land that we once treated so unfairly is now a member of the United States. I admire the Hawaiian queen’s bravery she seems like she wanted what was best for her people and she had no other options. I think it is ironic that America at this time had a tendency to look down upon British and French Imperialism like they were moral ones. Look at what we did to Hawaii that is blatant imperialism. I am glad that congress apologized to the native Hawaiians that is at least a step in the right direction
12/09/2018
2:46 pm
Nathan Alba
Personally I had never really read into detail about the annexation of Hawaii. I could not imagine how difficult it must have been for the queen to sign the annexation document. Although it was not an action she wished to do, it is honorable to think that she signed the document in the best interests of her people. I think that goes to show how good of a leader the queen was, and is something to remember as a positive moment in a negative situation.
21/10/2018
2:46 pm
Stephanie Nava
Wow. I have so much respect for the Queen. I guess that is the history of America, just taking what it wants when it wants it, no matter the circumstances or consequences. The way the King and Queen were treated is unfair, to say the least. This article is very interesting, I did not know anything about Hawaii, and now I am able to gain more insight on the history of it. This was a well written article, great job!
19/11/2018
2:46 pm
Rolando Mata
this article was a very informative read about a subject that I never before thought of. being a natural born Texan we only ever learn of Texas’s annexation history so reading about another recent state placed a great context over our nation. I had never known the importance of Hawaii militarily but this article showed me the error of ways. I hope to read similar articles like this in the future.
01/09/2017
2:46 pm