How did the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in February of 1898 help lead to the annexation of Hawaii? A) As a result of the explosion of the Maine, the United States entered into war with Hawaii, since Queen Lili'uokalani was the organizer of the terrorist plot. B) As a result of the explosion of the Maine, the United States lost a substantial portion of its sugar crop in Cuba, leading to a reorganization of sugar production needed in Hawaii. C) As a result of the explosion of the Maine, Hawaii entered into war with Cuba over sugar production, so Queen Lili'uokalani asked the United States for protection through annexation. Eliminate D) As a result of the explosion of the Maine, the United States entered into war with Spain, and Hawaii was a prime location for strategic, military operations of the United States in the Pacific.

By 1795, the warrior chief, Kamehameha the Great, had conquered most of the Hawaiian islands and established a monarchy. In the 1820s, American whalers, traders, and Christian missionaries began to visit and settle in the kingdom of Hawaii.

Although a small minority, the Americans in Hawaii soon owned much of the land, which they began to turn into large sugar-cane plantations. The native Hawaiian population dropped sharply due to smallpox and other diseases that came with the American immigrants. Needing more workers, the sugar planters imported Chinese and Japanese contract laborers who agreed to work on the plantations for a set period of time.

As their influence increased, the Americans became deeply involved with the government of the Hawaiian kings. In 1840, American advisors helped King Kamehameha III produce Hawaii's first written constitution.

By 1842, the United States had developed regular diplomatic relations with Hawaii and supported its status as an independent country. After King David Kalakaua ascended the throne in 1874, Hawaii and the United States signed a trade agreement lifting some restrictions on exporting Hawaiian sugar to the United States. In addition, this agreement permitted the United States to lease a naval station at Pearl Harbor.

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