Why was the American government interested in annexing Hawaii?

The American government's interest in annexing Hawaii was driven by several reasons:

1. Strategic Location: Hawaii is located in the central Pacific Ocean, making it a valuable location for military and strategic purposes. With the rise of America as a maritime power, having a naval base in Hawaii, especially at Pearl Harbor, would give the United States a significant advantage in projecting its naval and military might across the Pacific.

2. Economic Interests: Hawaii was important for its sugar plantations, which were a lucrative industry at the time. In the 19th century, American sugar planters in Hawaii had a thriving business due to the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875, which allowed Hawaiian sugar to enter the U.S. market tariff-free. However, later changes in American tariff policies threatened these interests. Annexation would ensure special access to the U.S. market and protect American economic investments.

3. Manifest Destiny and Expansionism: In line with the belief of Manifest Destiny, which held that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the continent and beyond, annexing Hawaii was seen as a natural extension of American territory. The idea of expanding American influence and territory into the Pacific was attractive to many Americans.

4. Political Instability in Hawaii: The political situation in Hawaii was becoming unstable, with the native monarchy facing challenges and opposition from both local insurgents and those of foreign descent, especially Americans. The American government saw the opportunity to stabilize the region while expanding its own influence.

5. Competition with Other Powers: There was also the threat of other imperial powers, such as Britain or Japan, exerting their influence over Hawaii. The U.S. wanted to prevent other nations from establishing a foothold in Hawaii that could threaten American security and interests in the Pacific.

As a result of these factors, the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, first establishing it as a territory, and then in 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.