Hawaii and Alaska: Imperialism

Hawaii

Late 1770s Hawaii has contact with 1st Westerners, James Cook.

American ships stopped there for coal and water since the late 1700s.

Missionaries come from New England in early 1800s.

Why do you think Bingham and Thurston thought they needed to be in Hawaii?

Missionary Influence

Bingham became a trusted advisor of the king.

Many descendants of missionaries became owned land and became active in political affairs

The Dole family were missionaries

In 1843 the U.S Marines fall in love with Pearl Harbor for its excellent location

Why was Hawaii a great location for the Marines?

The king was being influenced by foreigners(including Americans)

By 1887 Hawaii in inundated by foreigners.

U.S convinced King Kalakaua to change Hawaii’s constitution so that voting right were limited to only wealthy landowners.

Who were the wealthy landowners? Was this fair?

In 1891 Queen Liliuokalani refused to share power with the planters. She wanted a new constitution that would give back power to native-born Hawaiians.

Without Presidential approval, marines stormed the islands, and the American minister to the islands raised the stars and stripes in Honolulu.

The queen is forced to surrender.

Annexation

The new government is led by Sanford Dole

Grover Cleveland orders an investigation of how the U.S got control and says the process was illegal.

By 1898, President McKinley proclaims Hawaii U.S territory

Purchasing Alaska

William Seward- Who was he?

Why was Alaska important?

How did Seward go about getting Alaska?

Why was Alaska called Seward’s Folley (irrational)?