Question

The annexation of Hawaii by the United States was a complicated issue involving many factors. Supporters of annexation believed Hawaii was important for military and economic reasons, like being a place to refuel ships and a way to reach Asia. However, the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani raised serious questions about respecting Hawaiian people's rights and culture. Many Hawaiians were against the annexation because they felt it ignored their identity and wishes. President Grover Cleveland was also initially against annexation, which showed that even in American politics, people had different opinions about it. Balancing what the U.S. wanted with respecting Hawaii’s local government was a tough challenge. In the end, while annexing Hawaii helped the U.S. expand its influence in the Pacific, it was done in a way that hurt the Hawaiian people and their culture for a long time.

is this paragraph saying it should be annexed or not

Answer 1

The paragraph presents a balanced perspective on the annexation of Hawaii, highlighting arguments both for and against it. It acknowledges the strategic military and economic reasons that supporters of annexation cited, but it also emphasizes the opposition from many Hawaiians who felt their rights and culture were disrespected. The mention of President Grover Cleveland's opposition to annexation adds to the complexity of the issue. Ultimately, the paragraph does not explicitly advocate for or against annexation but rather illustrates the challenges and consequences associated with it, particularly the negative impact on the Hawaiian people and their culture.