How did the U.S. acquire Hawaii in 1898?

The acquisition of Hawaii in 1898 was primarily facilitated through annexation, driven by the involvement and support of American planters who had settled in the islands. These planters, particularly in the sugar industry, were influential figures who sought to gain political power and were opposed to the tariff policies that threatened their economic interests. Their discontent with the existing monarchy led them to seek support from the U.S. government.

In 1893, a group of American planters and businessmen orchestrated a coup that overthrew Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii. The provisional government that replaced her was predominantly composed of American interests. The subsequent desire for U.S. annexation gained momentum, particularly under the administration of President William McKinley, who favored expansionism. Congress approved the annexation through a joint resolution in 1898, formalizing the transition of Hawaii into U.S. territory.

This path of acquisition reflects broader trends of American imperialism and the strategic interests of the U.S. in the Pacific, which aligned with the desires of those American settlers who wielded significant economic influence in Hawaii. This context sets apart the acquisition method from other possibilities, like military invasion or a treaty with other nations, making it