Throughout history, there have been many instances of colonization. Countries would enter weaker territories in order to gain control of the land and the people. They would exploit these lands in order to gain power and make economic advances. Some examples of colonization that are often thought of are the Spanish conquest of Southern America, British occupation in India, and Belgium 's control of the Congo. The United States is not above these economic and political strategies. There are many examples of American colonization; one of them being America 's exploitation of Hawaii starting in the 19th century. America saw an opportunity for significant economic and political gains in Hawaii. America 's role in Hawaii brought many changes to the
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Peripheralization could also be found in Hawaii at this time. Peripheralization is the “differential distribution of power, interest, labor, and capital across space and the domination of local 's areas and cultures by the mandates military-industrial time” (Wilson, 2000, p. 522). Hawaii became a plantation resource, military outpost, and tourist site for Americans. The territory was treasured by the United States. President William McKinley said, "We need Hawai 'i just as much or a good deal more that we need California. It is manifest destiny" (Wilson, 2000, p. 523). The American government wanted to expand its territory in order to gain more power and revenue just as it had when expansions were made in the …show more content…
He visited Hawaii in 1866 and wrote several letters about his experiences. He supported the linkage of Hawaii to capitalist design. At the time that Mark Twain visited, there were about 60,000 Native Hawaiians living on the island. Previously, the population had been between 400,000 and 800,000. This dramatic decrease in population was due to exposure to new diseases brought over by Europeans. Although Americans did not cause this decline, they did play a large role in the loss of native Hawaiian culture. Mark Twain summed this up perfectly by stating "Although Hawaiians died due to European microbes, their culture will die due to American Christianization and the march of political economy"(Wilson, 2000, p. 527). He did not see any problems with this. He thought that the government should exploit economic gains that Hawaii could bring through tourism and trade. This exploitation of Hawaii was very degrading to the Hawaiian people, and it resulted in further loss of culture and
Peripheralization could also be found in Hawaii at this time. Peripheralization is the “differential distribution of power, interest, labor, and capital across space and the domination of local 's areas and cultures by the mandates military-industrial time” (Wilson, 2000, p. 522). Hawaii became a plantation resource, military outpost, and tourist site for Americans. The territory was treasured by the United States. President William McKinley said, "We need Hawai 'i just as much or a good deal more that we need California. It is manifest destiny" (Wilson, 2000, p. 523). The American government wanted to expand its territory in order to gain more power and revenue just as it had when expansions were made in the …show more content…
He visited Hawaii in 1866 and wrote several letters about his experiences. He supported the linkage of Hawaii to capitalist design. At the time that Mark Twain visited, there were about 60,000 Native Hawaiians living on the island. Previously, the population had been between 400,000 and 800,000. This dramatic decrease in population was due to exposure to new diseases brought over by Europeans. Although Americans did not cause this decline, they did play a large role in the loss of native Hawaiian culture. Mark Twain summed this up perfectly by stating "Although Hawaiians died due to European microbes, their culture will die due to American Christianization and the march of political economy"(Wilson, 2000, p. 527). He did not see any problems with this. He thought that the government should exploit economic gains that Hawaii could bring through tourism and trade. This exploitation of Hawaii was very degrading to the Hawaiian people, and it resulted in further loss of culture and