Pacific Pearl Case Study Worksheet Pacific Pearl
Case Study: The Annexation of Hawaii
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Sovereignty vs. Sugar
By the late 19th century, the Hawaiian Islands were a crossroads of the Pacific. While a sovereign kingdom ruled by a native monarchy, Hawaii’s economy had become deeply intertwined with the United States through the sugar industry. American businessmen, known as "sugar kings," owned vast plantations and held significant political influence.
"The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for the United States to pluck it." — John L. Stevens, U.S. Minister to Hawaii, 1893
The Bayonet Constitution (1887)
In 1887, a group of armed American and European businessmen forced King Kalākaua to sign a new constitution at gunpoint. Known as the Bayonet Constitution , it stripped the monarchy of much of its power and disenfranchised many native Hawaiians by setting high income and property requirements for voting. Crucially, it gave the U.S. exclusive rights to use Pearl Harbor as a naval base—a strategic military asset in the Pacific.
A Queen’s Resistance
When Queen Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne in 1891, she sought to restore power to the monarchy and the Hawaiian people. In 1893, she proposed a new constitution that would remove the property requirements for voting. Fearing a loss of political control and economic profit, the American sugar interests—led by Sanford B. Dole—formed the "Committee of Safety" to plan a coup.
Key Factor: The McKinley Tariff (1890)
This U.S. law removed the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar, making it more expensive than sugar grown in the U.S. Annexation would allow Hawaiian sugar to be treated as domestic product, saving planters millions of dollars.
The 1893 Overthrow
On January 17, 1893, backed by U.S. Minister John L. Stevens and 160 armed U.S. Marines from the USS Boston , the Committee of Safety overthrew the Queen. To avoid bloodshed, Liliʻuokalani surrendered her authority under protest, appealing to the U.S. government to undo the actions of its representatives. A Provisional Government was established with Sanford Dole as president.
While President Grover Cleveland initially opposed the annexation after an investigation found the overthrow was illegal, the political tide shifted. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War , the strategic value of Hawaii as a fueling station for the Navy became undeniable. President William McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution, formally annexing Hawaii as a U.S. Territory.
Timeline of Annexation
Place the following events in chronological order on the timeline below by writing the event name in the correct box.
Newlands Resolution signed (Annexation)
Queen Liliʻuokalani takes the throne
The "Bayonet Constitution" is forced
Overthrow by Committee of Safety
1887
1891
1893
1898
Case Analysis
Part 1: Identifying Reasons (The "Why")
1. Economic Motivations: How did the McKinley Tariff of 1890 impact the decision of American sugar planters to seek annexation?
2. Military Strategy: What specific geographic and military advantages did Hawaii provide to the United States in the late 1890s?
Part 2: Examining Methods (The "How")
3. Political Pressure: Describe how the "Bayonet Constitution" of 1887 changed the balance of power in Hawaii before the final overthrow.
4. The Role of the U.S. Military: In what way did U.S. Marines influence the events of January 17, 1893, even if they did not fire a shot?
5. Reflection: Queen Liliʻuokalani chose to surrender "to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life." Do you believe her decision was an act of leadership or an act of weakness? Explain your reasoning using evidence from the text.
Pacific Pearl Answer Key Pacific Pearl
Answer Key: The Annexation of Hawaii
TEACHER RESOURCE
Timeline Key
1887:
The "Bayonet Constitution" is forced upon King Kalākaua.
1891:
Queen Liliʻuokalani takes the throne.
1893:
Overthrow of the Monarchy by the Committee of Safety and U.S. Marines.
1898:
Newlands Resolution signed; Hawaii is formally annexed by the United States.
Case Analysis Key
1. Economic Motivations (McKinley Tariff):
The tariff removed the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar, making it more expensive in the U.S. market. Planters wanted annexation so their sugar would be considered "domestic" product, allowing them to avoid the tariff and increase profits.
2. Military Strategy:
Hawaii served as a vital strategic refueling station and naval base (Pearl Harbor) in the Pacific. Its importance was highlighted during the Spanish-American War as a staging point for forces heading to the Philippines.
3. Political Pressure (Bayonet Constitution):
It stripped the monarch of power and gave it to a cabinet controlled by foreign businessmen. It also disenfranchised many native Hawaiians through property/income voting requirements, ensuring American political control before the actual overthrow.
4. The Role of the U.S. Military:
The presence of 160 armed Marines provided the implicit threat of force. Their support for the Committee of Safety made resistance by the Queen's forces seem futile and gave the coup an aura of official U.S. backing.
5. Reflection (Liliʻuokalani’s Decision):
Answers will vary. Students may argue it was leadership (prioritizing the lives of her people over her throne) or weakness (failing to fight for sovereignty). Strong answers will reference her specific quote about avoiding loss of life.
Pacific Pearl Presentation Slides Case Study
Pacific Pearl
Understanding the Annexation of Hawaii
History Series
The Mission
Today we will analyze how and why a sovereign kingdom became a U.S. territory.
Identify Reasons
Explore economic and military motivations.
Examine Methods
Analyze political and military pressure.
Sweet Profit
The Economic Driver
By the 1890s, sugar was the backbone of Hawaii's economy.
McKinley Tariff (1890)
U.S. law taxed imported sugar, making Hawaiian sugar expensive. Annexation would make it "domestic" and tax-free.
The Goal
Secure the American market and save millions for sugar planters.
Pearl of the Pacific
Military Strategy
Pearl Harbor
The deepest natural harbor in the central Pacific. Essential for a "Two-Ocean Navy."
Fueling Station
The Spanish-American War proved Hawaii's value as a mid-Pacific base for ships heading to the Philippines.
Security
Power
Constitutional Coup
1887: Force & Fear
Armed American businessmen forced King Kalākaua to sign a new constitution at gunpoint.
Stripped Monarchy of Power
Disenfranchised Native Voters
Secured Pearl Harbor Rights
"It was not a constitution; it was a surrender of sovereignty."
The Overthrow of 1893
Committee of Safety
American sugar interests who plotted the coup to protect their profits.
U.S. Marines
160 troops from the USS Boston landed to provide "protection" for the coup.
The Queen
Liliʻuokalani surrendered under protest to avoid bloodshed.
1898: Finality
The Newlands Resolution
Instead of a treaty (which required 2/3 Senate support), a simple joint resolution was used to annex Hawaii.
Territorial Status
Hawaii remained a territory until becoming the 50th state in 1959.
The Hawaiian monarchy was abolished, and the stars and stripes were raised over ʻIolani Palace.
Case Analysis
Was annexation an inevitable result of globalization?
Consider the economic and military forces at play in the Pacific.
How does this case study change your view of U.S. Expansionism?
Pacific Pearl Teacher Guide Pacific Pearl
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grades 9-12 | U.S. History
Essential Questions
How do economic interests influence national foreign policy and military expansion?
Was the annexation of Hawaii a legitimate acquisition or an illegal overthrow of a sovereign nation?
Lesson Procedure
1
Hook & Visual Setup (10 mins)
Use the presentation slides to introduce the strategic location of Hawaii. Focus on Slide 3 (Economic context) to spark discussion on how "sugar" could lead to a revolution.
2
Guided Reading & Timeline (25 mins)
Distribute the Case Study Worksheet. Have students read the text independently or in pairs. Monitor as they complete the timeline to ensure they distinguish between the 1887 and 1893 events.
3
Case Analysis & Socratic Seminar (20 mins)
Divide the class to discuss Question 5 (Liliʻuokalani’s surrender). Use this as a springboard for a larger discussion on "peaceful surrender" vs. "sovereign resistance."
Critical Vocabulary
Annexation: The formal act of acquiring a territory by conquest or occupation.
Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
Tariff: A tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports.
Disenfranchise: To deprive someone of the right to vote.
Pedagogical Support
Common Misconceptions
"The U.S. government led the coup."
Clarification: The coup was led by a private "Committee of Safety" (businessmen). The U.S. government provided military support (Marines), but President Cleveland actually initially opposed the results.
"Hawaii was already part of the U.S."
Clarification: Hawaii was a recognized sovereign kingdom with its own treaties and diplomats before 1893.
Differentiation Strategies
For Emerging Readers (Scaffolding)
Highlight the "Key Factor" boxes on the worksheet first. Use the presentation slides to visually define vocabulary before starting the reading.
For Advanced Learners (Extension)
Research the "Blount Report" vs. the "Morgan Report." Compare how different U.S. officials interpreted the legality of the overthrow.
Deep Dive Discussion Prompts
Strategic Ethics
Does a nation's military "need" for a base (like Pearl Harbor) justify the violation of another nation's sovereignty?
Economic Power
How did the reliance on a single export (sugar) make the Hawaiian kingdom vulnerable to foreign political pressure?
