Thesis

The US annexation of Hawaiʻi in 1898 and the events leading up to it had significant consequences. The debate over annexation tied into larger controversies over race and imperialism. Different members of both the American and Hawaiian populace, politicians, and prominent business people all had varied stances on the issue. Hawaiʻi tried to preserve independence through US trade deals, but ultimately succumbed to gunboat diplomacy. The annexation of Hawaiʻi was both a catalyst and bellwether of the direction US foreign policy, especially in the Pacific, would take in the coming years. 

Note: The Hawaiian language uses several unique letters and diacritics. This website uses the University of  Hawaiʻi Style Guide to correctly write Hawaiian words.

"Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono"

(The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)
~ Hawaiian State Motto