US Acquisitions

THE U.S. ACQUIRES ALASKA In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward arranged for the United States to buy Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million Some thought it was a silly idea and called it “Seward’s Icebox” Time has shown how smart it was to buy Alaska for 2 cents an acre Alaska is rich in timber, minerals, and oil Alaska

Alaska Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for the price of $7.2 million. Purchased by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, many people criticized the move as “folly.”

U.S. Takes Hawaii

Hawaii’s Economy 75% of wealth from sugar plantations Plantations owned by Americans Labor imported from Japan/ China

Hawaii’s Economy 1875 no duty on Hawaiian sugar 1887 king forced to grant voting rights to only wealthy landowners 1887 U.S. gained rights to Pearl Harbor

Hawaii’s Economy 1890 McKinley Tariff eliminated the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar Hawaiian sugar had to compete with other sugar growers, especially Cuba Annexation of Hawaii would mean Hawaiian sugar would become duty-free

Deposing the Queen Queen Lili wanted to: end property qualifications for voting Restore power to native Hawaiians

Deposing the Queen The Americans sugar growers: Organized a revolt against the Queen 1893 Queen Lili was arrested Sanford Dole became the temporary president of Hawaii

                                                        Grover Cleveland William McKinley Sanford Dole

Republic of Hawaii Pres. Cleveland wanted the queen restored to power. Dole refused to give up power. Cleveland recognized the Republic of Hawaii, but refused to annex Hawaii. 1897 Pres. McKinley made Hawaii an American territory.