annexation of Hawaii

The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 occurred when the United States formally incorporated the Hawaiian Islands into its territory. This process followed the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s monarchy in 1893 by a group of American businessmen and residents who sought economic and strategic advantages. The U.S. initially established a naval base and used Hawaii for military purposes. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, the U.S. officially annexed Hawaii, turning it into a territory. This decision was driven by military, economic, and imperial interests, and it marked the end of Hawaiian sovereignty, leading to its eventual statehood in 1959.