The process of Hawaii's annexation to the United States is a complex and significant historical event intertwined with political and economic factors. The annexation of Hawaii occurred in the late 19th century, transitioning from the Kingdom of Hawaii to a U.S. territory, ultimately becoming the 50th state in 1959. This process took place amid various political conflicts and international changes. Below, I will summarize the main stages of this process.

Independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii and Its International Position

• In the early 19th century, Hawaii existed as an independent Kingdom of Hawaii. Hawaii was located at a crucial trade route in the Pacific, attracting economic and military interests from several major powers, including the United States, Britain, and Japan.
• Hawaii produced various agricultural products such as sugar, oil, and coffee, and its trade relationship with the United States was particularly important. American merchants sought to expand their businesses in Hawaii.

Expansion of American Merchant Influence

• In the mid-19th century, many American merchants migrated to Hawaii, significantly impacting its economy. The sugar industry became an important export item to the American market, leading many Americans to settle in Hawaii.
• The Hawaii-U.S. Trade Treaty signed in 1875 allowed Hawaii to export sugar to the U.S. duty-free, further increasing Hawaii's economic dependence on the United States.

Imperialistic Movements and Military Importance in the U.S.

• In the late 19th century, as imperialistic thinking spread in the U.S., interest in the Pacific region grew. Hawaii was considered a crucial military base in the Pacific, particularly with Pearl Harbor being strategically significant.
• American politicians and military officials showed movements to incorporate Hawaii into U.S. territory.

Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii (1893)

• In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani of the Kingdom of Hawaii attempted to strengthen royal power by amending the kingdom's constitution. However, this provoked opposition from American merchants and military officials residing in Hawaii.
• Supported by American merchants and soldiers, the Hawaiian rebels staged a coup, overthrowing the kingdom, and Queen Liliuokalani was forced to abdicate. Subsequently, the Republic of Hawaii was established, and the U.S. recognized it, declaring Hawaii a republic in 1894.

Annexation of Hawaii (1898)

• Considering Hawaii's political instability and military importance, in 1898, the U.S. officially annexed Hawaii as a territory through the Hawaii Annexation Act (Newlands Resolution).
• This annexation was passed in the U.S. Senate, and Hawaii began to play an important role as a military base for the United States. At that time, there were residents in Hawaii who opposed the annexation, but ultimately, Hawaii was officially incorporated into U.S. territory.

Incorporation of Hawaii as a State (1959)

• Even after Hawaii was incorporated as a U.S. territory, the people of Hawaii continued to demand statehood. Especially after World War II, Hawaii's economic and military significance grew, and ties with the mainland U.S. strengthened.
• In 1959, Hawaii was officially incorporated as the 50th state of the United States. This made Hawaii a full member of the United States, and the residents of Hawaii gained U.S. citizenship.

The process of Hawaii's annexation was a complex political process combining American imperialistic expansion with commercial and military interests. The coup in 1893, the annexation in 1898, and the statehood in 1959 marked significant turning points in Hawaii's transformation into U.S. territory.