Aloha ‘Oe
Saying good bye to Hawaii’s Independence and Sovereignty
Thesis
The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 was caused by the conflict between Spain and America in countries like the Philippines. With Hawaii being an ideal strategic location in the middle of the Pacific ocean, the islands were annexed by the urgent request of President William McKinley. Him along with President Grover Cleveland and Minister John L. Stevens all played very important roles during this time, changing Hawaii’s way of life forever
President William McKinley
In March 1987, William McKinley was inaugurated as President of the United States. Being in favor of the annexation of Hawaii, on June 16, 1987, McKinley and three representatives of the government of the Republic of Hawaii—Lorin Thurston, Francis Hatch, and William Kinney—signed a treaty of annexation. President McKinley then submitted the treaty to the U.S for ratification.
President Grover Cleveland
Soon after the overthrowing of the Queen, the Committee of Annexation made themselves the Provisional Government. President Benjamin Harrison signed a treaty of annexation with the new government, but before the Senate could ratify it, Grover Cleveland replaced Harrison as president and subsequently withdrew the treaty. Shortly into his presidency, Cleveland appointed James Blount as a special investigator to investigate the events in the Hawaiian Islands. Blount found that Minister Stevens had acted improperly and ordered that the American flag be lowered from Hawaiian government buildings. He also ordered that Queen Lili'uokalani be restored to power, but Sanford Dole, the president of the Provisional Government of Hawaii, refused to turn over power.
Minister John L. Stevens
Historical Significance
Is Hawai'i legally and lawfully a state of the Union?
ADDITIONAL STUFFS
Cites
"Annexation of Hawaii." Annexation of Hawaii. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.
Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
"The Queen and the Clevelands (Grover and George…)." Julia Flynn Siler. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
"History-Twisters in Legislature Want to Rip the Treaty of Annexation Out of the Hands of President McKinley's Statue." History-Twisters in Legislature Want to Rip the Treaty of Annexation Out of the Hands of President McKinley’s Statue. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
"John L. Stevens." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
"The 1897 Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii." National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.