Agriculture Bringing People Together
In 1835, massive fields of sugarcane seedling were being planted in the wettest and flattest areas of Hawai'i. Very common and popular places were sugarcane was planted would be the central plains of O'ahu and the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. Over the next fifty years, plantation owners brought more than 300,000 immigrant laborers to the islands who were given jobs to plant, care for, and to harvest their sugarcane. These immigrants came from around the globe. Commonly the immigrants were from China, Japan, and Portugal. The amount of immigrants outnumbered the amount of native Hawaiians.
Many languages were being spoken all at one time, and soon laborers could not understand each other. They came up with a new language: pidgin English. This is a combination of many languages and is still spoken today. Beneath is a video of modern day pidgin. This is just an option to watch it. You aren't being forced to.
Many languages were being spoken all at one time, and soon laborers could not understand each other. They came up with a new language: pidgin English. This is a combination of many languages and is still spoken today. Beneath is a video of modern day pidgin. This is just an option to watch it. You aren't being forced to.
The Reciprocity Treaty
By 1871, Hawai'i's economic future was uncertain. Hawai'i's income from the whaling industry quickly diminished once oil was found in Pennsylvania and when petroleum oil quickly replaced whale oil, all income ended. Sugar became Hawai'i's most promising industry. Sugar entering the United States was majorly taxed, which was not good.
In 1875, Kind Kalakaua signed the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States. This meant that one way or another, it was like a trade. In order for this treaty to work, something must be given in return for something else. Under this treaty the Hawaiian sugar was able to be imported into the United States tax-free and the United States' products were brought into Hawai'i tax-free as well. This treaty seemed great and put a huge increase in Hawai'i's sugar production. Not everybody liked this though. Some greedy American planters didn't think the treaty was good enough.
In 1875, Kind Kalakaua signed the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States. This meant that one way or another, it was like a trade. In order for this treaty to work, something must be given in return for something else. Under this treaty the Hawaiian sugar was able to be imported into the United States tax-free and the United States' products were brought into Hawai'i tax-free as well. This treaty seemed great and put a huge increase in Hawai'i's sugar production. Not everybody liked this though. Some greedy American planters didn't think the treaty was good enough.
King Kalakaua's Delema
King Kalakaua was popular among Hawaiians for reasons other than just the treaty. He was the one who brought back hula, the sacred and traditional dance which the missionaries banned. He built 'Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States. He also wrote the famous Hawaiian song "Hawai'i Pono'i" which is now Hawai'i's state anthem.
Though Kalakaua did all of these things and his popularity with the natives, American businessmen in Hawai'i did not like him. in 1887 King Kalakaua was persuaded by these businessmen to sign a new constitution. This made his powers as king limited. Later this constitution became known as the Bayonet Constitution.
Though Kalakaua did all of these things and his popularity with the natives, American businessmen in Hawai'i did not like him. in 1887 King Kalakaua was persuaded by these businessmen to sign a new constitution. This made his powers as king limited. Later this constitution became known as the Bayonet Constitution.
Death of Kalakaua And New Queen
In 1891, Kind Kalakaua died in San Francisco. This was an unexpected death and so his sister Lili'uokalani became queen. The new Queen Lili'uokalani believed that her brother was giving Americans too much control in Hawai'i's government. She thought it would be best if her people were to decide for themselves how their kingdom would be governed.
Annexationists
When rumors spread about their new queen planning to make foreigners forcefully leave, American planters were afraid they were going to loose all of they sugar plantations. In order to prevent this, a group of American businessmen made a plan to overthrow the Hawaiian government and make Hawai'i a United States territory. These people were called annexationists.
The leader of these annexationists was Judge Sanford B. Dole. Leading the takeover with help of the U.S. Ambassador, the U.S. Marines, and the U.S. Navy, Dole and other annexationists arrested the Queen. Lili'uokalani was imprisoned in her own 'Iolani Palace.
The leader of these annexationists was Judge Sanford B. Dole. Leading the takeover with help of the U.S. Ambassador, the U.S. Marines, and the U.S. Navy, Dole and other annexationists arrested the Queen. Lili'uokalani was imprisoned in her own 'Iolani Palace.
Hawai'i Becoming A Part Of America
When United States President Grover Cleveland heard about his Americans overthrowing the queen, he was extremely angry. He insisted that Dole needed to return control of Hawai'i to the rightful Queen Lili'uokalani and restore the Hawaiian government. Congress instead allowed Hawai'i's government to be replaced by a temporary government which this new republic was headed by no other than Dole himself.
More than 21,000 Native Hawaiians protested, but despite that all, Hawai'i was made a United States territory in 1900. The law to approve this was signed by President William McKinley, and passed in Congress. Dole was appointed Hawai'i's very first territorial governor.
Soon after Hawai'i became a United States territory, many U.S. military bases were established including Pear Harbor.
More than 21,000 Native Hawaiians protested, but despite that all, Hawai'i was made a United States territory in 1900. The law to approve this was signed by President William McKinley, and passed in Congress. Dole was appointed Hawai'i's very first territorial governor.
Soon after Hawai'i became a United States territory, many U.S. military bases were established including Pear Harbor.