We took away a nation's independence and culture.
I think that it was wrong for the U.S. to take Hawaii because Hawaii was already a literate country with a developed government that was functioning well. The Hawaiian people did not need the United States to come into their nation and "educate" them or help them in any way. They were literate, had their own language, had their own government, had their own culture. America took over the Hawaiian Kingdom for its strategic military opportunities and for economic prosperity. The U.S. Came to Hawaii and wiped out their culture, spread diseases that the natives had no immunity to, and took their independence away from them. Once Hawaii was annexed to the U.S., their culture was crushed. Hula dancing (a way of honoring their chiefs, gods, and land) was outlawed, books in the Hawaiian language were burned, and the unique flora and fauna was destroyed to build hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that worked to increase tourism. The view on Hawaiian culture was also changed because of the annexation. Most people today see it as an island paradise filled with exotic sights and entertainment, looking past the rich history and real native culture. I think that we should have let Hawaii stay governed by the monarchy and let them be independent. It was not our place to take over and it was unfair that we did. We almost eliminated their culture and their people.
