American Influence In Hawaii

In January 1893, a cadre of powerful white planters, led by Sanford Dole and backed by U.S. Marines, orchestrated a coup with an eye to annexing Hawaii to the United States. Their goals was to protect their sugar interests against changing U.S. tariffs and against Queen Liliuokalani who was showing alarming signs of opposing the strong American influence in Hawaii. Forces within the U.S. Government approved the action, wanting to secure American commercial and military interest in the Pacific. Within a few days, a new government was formed, a constitution was written, and the American Flag was hoisted over the government buildings.