How Hawaii Became A State

How Hawaii Became a State

I have chosen to write my expository essay on how Hawaii became a state. I will list some of the history because that is very important in this story. The data that I will share is also important in learning how this happened. Hawaii attained statehood when Congress introduced the Hawaii Admission Act so that everyone could vote to make it an official state.

Hawaii is a very beautiful state, there are rainforests, volcano’s, they have amazing views and are right on the ocean. Hawaii has many amazing mountains and is home to one of the world’s most active volcano. Hawaii is also home to some of the most fertile land and is a great resource for growing things such as produce or raising cattle. People often describe the state as a tropical paradise and although I have never been there I would have to agree with them, the beautiful waterfalls in the tall mountains and gorgeous sandy beaches with huge waves are enough to make almost anyone want to visit.

All of these reasons play a very important role in how America attained this tropical paradise. Everyone wanted a piece, if not all, of this land and it took a very long time for America to finally be able to call this state its own.

In 1778 Captain James Cook ‘discovered’ this land; this is when it all began. At this time in the world everyone was fighting for pieces of land and these islands were of extreme interest to everyone because they were in such a great location and are so fruitful. “The tug of war which would ensue between three of the major colonizing countries of Europe provided a major catalyst towards the island empire becoming a state of the union” (Carver, n.d.)

When the islands were first found they were run by a monarchy and once the news of the islands being discovered and of the rich resources it held spread, all of the “major world powers were interested, sending envoys and missionaries to the monarchy which controlled the islands” (Carver, n.d.). An interesting fact is that Hawaii was the only state in the union to have had a monarchy.

 People kept sending more and more missionaries so that they could help make the people of the islands ‘civil’ and finally a few different countries made moves to control the monarchy; they did this by finally recognizing the kingdom of Hawaii in international circles.

There were many threats and soon the King of the time, King Kamahama the third, tried to get rid of all interference from a few of the countries.

Eventually in 1887, the U.S. was granted permission to place a military base on the island of Oahu. You can imagine the hostility this must have gained towards the U.S. because it was in such a good location that everyone wanted and America was the only one granted permission.

In 1893, the monarchy was overthrown by the U.S. and even though the current queen of the time, Queen Liliuokalani, tried to reinstate the monarchy she failed. After this happened Hawaii became a republic and was promised protection from the United States. In 1898 Hawaii became part of U.S. territory.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 it would be 18 years later that Congress would introduce the Hawaii Admission Act which would be approved by the senate and the president and would go on to be voted on by the residents of Hawaii so in August of 1959, Hawaii would become the 50’th state in the United States Of America.

 

References

1.      Britannica Online. (n.d.). Establishment of U.S. dominance. In Hawaii. Retrieved
     from http://original.search.eb.com/eb/article-79296

2.      Carver, N. (n.d.). How Hawaii Became A State. Retrieved from      
     http://www.helium.com/items/1189313-events-leading-to-the-statehood-of-hawaii