“Perhaps there is a kind of right, depending upon the precedents of all ages, and known as the “Rights of Conquest” under which robbers and marauders may establish themselves in possession of whatsoever they are strong enough to ravish from their fellows. I will not pretend to decide how far civilization and Christian enlightenment have outlawed it. But we have known for many years that out Island monarchy has relied upon the protection always extended to us by the policy and assured friendship of the American republic.” Imperialism is the thought process of any given nation to expand; these nations believe that they have the right to acquire and gain control of foreign areas and essentially these nations believed that by taking over a mass of land they were saving them and making them a stronger land. The Queen states “Rights of Conquest,” in her speech, which I interpret as if we, Americans, have a right to explore and conquest is the idea of manifest destiny ever actually achieved? Apparently no, the United States has a greedy hand and no matter what nothing will ever satisfy. Finally she says, “assured friendship,” throughout history the United States has been known to deceive people by first offering a hand of help but this hand eventually becomes greedy and thus we feel like we are meant to take control because we have been such good friends. The Hawaiians feel betrayed because they trusted America to take care of them and are confused why we see the country as a financial gain and not as a sovereign government.
Great analysis!
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