In the late 1800s, the United States began expanding its influence beyond North America. Business leaders, missionaries, and government officials looked toward Asia and the Pacific Islands as places of opportunity—economically, politically, and militarily. This period marked a shift from westward expansion at home to global ambitions abroad.

At the center of this story was Hawaii—a group of islands with rich resources, strategic value, and a native population that fiercely resisted U.S. control.

U.S. Expansion in the Pacific

As trade with Asia increased, the U.S. government and businesses became more interested in building a presence across the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. wanted naval bases, coaling stations for steamships, and access to overseas markets, especially in China and Japan.

       

In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia, and in 1882, Robert Shufeldt negotiated a treaty with Korea, opening trade and diplomatic relations. American missionaries were also active throughout the Pacific, especially in Hawaii and the Philippines. Their goal was to spread Christianity and Western values, often with little regard for native traditions.

These efforts were part of a larger belief in Manifest Destiny—the idea that the United States had a special role to play in shaping the world. But not everyone welcomed that influence.

Why the U.S. Wanted Hawaii

Hawaii was a key target for U.S. expansion. Its location in the middle of the Pacific made it a perfect military and commercial hub. American businesses, especially in the sugar industry, had already gained control of much of the land and economy.

In 1887, white business and political leaders forced King Kalākaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution, which took away power from the Hawaiian monarchy and gave more control to foreign landowners—mainly Americans. Native Hawaiians had no say in this process, and many viewed it as a direct threat to their independence.

The U.S. government also saw Hawaii as a way to protect American shipping routes and trade with Asia. As the U.S. Navy grew, Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor became an important location for fueling and defending U.S. interests in the Pacific.

Native Hawaiian Resistance

       

Despite growing U.S. pressure, native Hawaiians resisted the loss of their land and political power. When King Kalākaua died, his sister Queen Liliʻuokalani took the throne and tried to restore power to the monarchy. She pushed for a new constitution that would return voting rights and leadership to native Hawaiians.

In response, a group of American businessmen and sugar planters, with the support of the U.S. military, overthrew the queen in 1893. The overthrow was carried out without violence, but it was not legal or approved by the Hawaiian people. Queen Liliʻuokalani was placed under house arrest, and the new government asked the U.S. to annex the islands.

Native Hawaiians continued to resist. They signed petitions, organized rallies, and protested the loss of their sovereignty. Earlier efforts like the Wilcox Rebellion of 1889, led by Hawaiian nationalist Robert Wilcox, had already shown that many people were willing to fight to protect the monarchy and their independence. Although these efforts did not stop annexation, they proved that native Hawaiians did not give up their land or identity willingly.

Annexation and Long-Term Impact

In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, the U.S. officially annexed Hawaii. The islands became a U.S. territory, and native Hawaiians were made citizens—but they had no say in the process. The annexation gave the U.S. a powerful base in the Pacific and helped solidify its role as an international power.

For native Hawaiians, it marked the beginning of more than a century of struggle for recognition, land rights, and sovereignty. The effects of annexation are still felt today, as many Hawaiians continue to fight for cultural preservation and political justice.

Conclusion

The U.S. expansion into Asia and the Pacific was driven by trade, security, and a belief in American leadership. But that expansion often came at the cost of native peoples’ independence and rights. Hawaii’s story shows both the power of U.S. global ambition and the strength of resistance from those who refused to be erased.

Source: American Influence in Asia and the Pacific
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