Expansion in the Pacific Free Trade with Japan and the Annexation of Hawaii

Movement towards the Pacific America had been used to expanding westward and once we had populated throughout the West Coast, the natural assumption was to continue westward. By the early 1800’s, dozens of ships were making the long trip to China every year.

Perry and Japan American business leaders felt that America would benefit from trade with Japan as well as China 1852, President Franklin Pierce decided to force Japan to trade Sent Commodore Matthew Perry on a naval expedition to Japan to negotiate a trade treaty. July 8, 1853, Perry and 4 American warships entered Tokyo Bay.

Japan Gives In Realizing they could not compete with American technology, the Japanese agreed to open their ports for trade with America. This had a profound effect on Japanese history. After this technological defeat, the Japanese decided it was time for them to industrialize. By the 1890’s, they had developed a powerful modern navy and decided to build their own empire

Annexation of Hawaii: Europeans make contact with Hawaii James Cook, a British naval captain is the first European to make contact with the independent nation of Hawaii. France, America, and England will all soon have an interest in Hawaii. Growing interest As trade with China and Japan increased, many Americans developed an interest in Hawaii. Many ships were stopping in Hawaii on their way to China or Japan. American whaling ships in the Northwest also began using Hawaii as a port of operations.

Sugarcane Americans quickly discovered that the climate and soil of Hawaii was very suitable for growing sugarcane. 1872 a severe recession struck U.S. worried Hawaii would turn to the British or French for aid. U.S. makes it so Hawaiian sugar is exempt from U.S. tariffs. Creates a boom in Hawaiian economy. U.S. then has Hawaiian King Kahmehameha II to sign a new constitution limiting his power. This creates tension between the native Hawaiians and Americans. McKinley Tariff 1890 Gave subsidies to American sugar plantations making it cheaper than Hawaiian sugar.

Queen Liliuokalani Took the throne in 1891. Disliked American influence. Was a Hawaiian nationalist and wanted a “Hawaii for the Hawaiians” Attempted to rewrite Hawaiian constitution, giving the monarch back its power

Annexation Faced with economic crisis and the actions of the queen, planters in Hawaii planned to overthrow the monarchy. Supported by American Marines from the USS Boston, the planters held Liliuokalani and attempted to assert a new government. Also tried to get America to annex Hawaii. President Cleveland did not want to annex Hawaii and attempted to restore Liliuokalani. Along with American marines, the planters held Liliuokalani until a new President was elected. Five years later, under Benjamin Harrison, Hawaii was annexed as part of the United States.

Assignment Based on your reading of the Apology Bill, what, if anything, should be done about Hawaii? Write an argument dealing with this topic containing support from class and what you’ve read.