Annexation of Hawaii
An annexation means to add something to a bigger whole. In 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States. Before, Hawaii was an independent island ruled by a monarchy government. America had a foothold in Hawaii due to the Sugar Trade and they provided them with great terms. In 1890, however, Congress passed the McKinley Tariff which raised import taxes on foreign sugar. Because of this tariff, America bought less and less sugar from Hawaii. This was definitely a bad thing for both because sales weren't good in the sugar industry in Hawaii and America was losing their deals and quality sugar. Queen Liliuokalani, ruler of Hawaii, believed that the reason for Hawaii's problems was the interference with foreigners. At that same time, planters were planning to overthrow the Queen and went to the US armed forces for protection. In 1893 the Queen was forced to give up her thrown. By 1898, President McKinley signed a joint resolution annexing the islands. By overthrowing the Queen of Hawaii, this gave the US Navy a new place for a Naval Base. This action definitely changed history because in 1941, the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor. If this didn't happen, then thousands of lives could have been saved, but the World Wars might have never stopped. I chose this as a historical significance because this was how America got its 50th state. Without the annexation, the Island could still be ruled by a monarchy. |
America Takes Flight
Wilbur and Oriville Wright were 2 brothers that were both born in Indiana. Wilbur was 4 years older than Oriville and they grew up being playmates their whole life. Wilbur fell into depression after a serious hockey incident and decided not to go to Yale University for college. In 1889, their mother died from tuberculosis and the boys then proceeded to start their own newspaper. In 1892, Wilbur and Oriville opened their own bike shop, where there could fix bikes and sell their own deigns. The 2 brothers were always working on something mechanical and keeping up with the latest science updates. They followed a German aviator closely and when he died from a failed glider attempt, they decided to try their own experiments of flying. In 1903, the Wright brothers successfully flew the first free, controlled power-driven, heavier than air plane. Wilbur and Oriville began selling their airplanes to European buyers and started off their career as two businessmen filling contracts for Europe and the United States. The single invention of the airplane has significantly changed the course of America in many ways. Without airplanes, we would have less weapons to fight with in war, no fast ways to travel over sea and harder ways import/export goods to and from the States. If airplanes were never invented, how would Truman later drop the atomic bomb? I chose this event as a historical significance because I feel like without airplanes, our country wouldn't be as strong as it is today. The Wright brother's deserve all the wealth that was brought to them through this invention. |
America Becomes a World Power
By 1890, America had the most successful and productive economy in the world. Despite having great economical power, America lacked the strong military and diplomatic power. From the Civil war until 1890's, the US resisted expansion to foreign lands. They believed it was inconsistent with Americas republican's rules. They also didn't want to have the mixture of different races, cultures, and languages. There was a strong belief that the world was facing Darwinism and the weakest countries were doomed. America took alert and began getting stronger. The US came close to declaring war with Germany, Chile, and Britain over differences of policies or land. With the overthrowing of Hawaii's ruler came lots of questioning whether America should behave like a great power and seize colonies or remain something different. There were many different laws and doctrines passed. Two of them specifically led to America becoming a world power; the Roosevelt Corollary and the Monroe Doctrine. Both of these documents said America would exercise international police power. The United States took a turn for the better in 1898 when they made major strategic commitment in the Far East, acquired territories never intended for statehood, and committed itself to police actions in the Caribbean and Central America. The actions made by America to become a world power changed the course of history for the States in a great way. If we never did this, then who knows the wars we would have lost without building up our military and gaining countries to side with us. I believe without these events, America would not be as successful as it is today. I chose this American movement as a historical significance because without this, we our nation could have easily become a third-world country as opposed to a world power. |