Treaty of reciprocity

Definition

The treaty of reciprocity was an agreement established in 1875 between the Kingdom of Hawaii and the United States, allowing for duty-free importation of Hawaiian sugar into the U.S. and giving Hawaii a favored trading status. This treaty played a significant role in shaping foreign relations and trade policies, influencing the power dynamics between local interests and external forces, particularly during the lead-up to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty of reciprocity significantly boosted Hawaii's economy by increasing sugar exports to the United States without tariffs, leading to a sugar boom.
2. This treaty was seen as a strategic move by American sugar planters who wanted to secure their business interests and further embed American influence in Hawaii.
3. Queen Liliuokalani sought to restore the power of the monarchy, which was undermined by the economic dependency created by the treaty and subsequent foreign interests.
4. The treaty was crucial in creating a landscape where foreign businessmen were able to exert political pressure, leading directly to the formation of the Committee of Safety.
5. After the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, Hawaii's annexation was expedited partly due to the economic ties established by the treaty.

Review Questions

• How did the treaty of reciprocity affect the economic landscape in Hawaii and contribute to foreign interests influencing local politics?
  • The treaty of reciprocity created significant economic advantages for Hawaiian sugar producers by allowing them to export sugar to the United States without tariffs. This increased revenue drew more American business interests into Hawaii, who saw an opportunity for profit. As these foreign interests grew stronger economically, they began to exert more political pressure on local governance, ultimately leading to movements that sought to undermine the authority of Queen Liliuokalani and promote their own agendas.
• In what ways did the signing of the treaty of reciprocity set the stage for the eventual overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani?
  • The signing of the treaty increased American influence in Hawaii, with many American sugar planters becoming politically active and forming groups like the Committee of Safety. Their economic power made them influential players in local politics. When Queen Liliuokalani attempted to assert her authority and diminish foreign control, those vested interests rallied against her, using both political maneuvering and military support from U.S. forces to orchestrate her overthrow.
• Evaluate how the economic implications of the treaty of reciprocity facilitated changes in governance and sovereignty within Hawaii from 1875 onwards.
  • The economic implications of the treaty of reciprocity fundamentally altered Hawaii's governance and sovereignty by creating an environment where local power dynamics shifted heavily in favor of American business interests. As sugar exports flourished under favorable trading conditions, these interests gained significant political clout, fostering a climate ripe for interventionist policies. This culminated in organized efforts to dethrone Queen Liliuokalani, as her attempts to reclaim power directly threatened their lucrative enterprises. Ultimately, these events paved the way for Hawaii's annexation by the United States, marking a dramatic shift from a sovereign kingdom to a territory under American control.

Related terms

Committee of Safety:

A group formed by American and European business interests in Hawaii that sought to overthrow Queen Liliuokalani and establish a provisional government aligned with U.S. interests.

Annexation:

The act of formally incorporating a territory into another jurisdiction; in this case, referring to the annexation of Hawaii into the United States following the overthrow of the monarchy.

King Kalakaua: The last reigning king of Hawaii, who was in power during the signing of the treaty of reciprocity and faced significant pressure from foreign interests.