Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland: Controversy over Hawaii

U.S. Pres. Benjamin Harrison’s policy of overseas expansion in search of foreign markets coincided with the desire of the white business class of Hawaii for annexation by the United States. Annexation would provide a government more aligned with the interests of Hawaii’s business class, but, more to the point, it would free the islands of high American tariffs. With the support and encouragement of the U.S. minister to Hawaii John Stevens and with the presence...