Reciprocity Treaty of 1875
Encyclopedia
The Treaty of reciprocity between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom was a free trade agreement signed and ratified in 1875 that is generally known as the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875.
The treaty gave free access to the United States
market for sugar and other products grown in the Kingdom of Hawaii
starting in September 1876. In return, the US gained lands in the area known as Puu Loa for what became known as the Pearl Harbor
naval base. The treaty led to large investment by Americans in sugar plantations in Hawaii
. The treaty was signed on January 30, 1875, ratified by the Kingdom of Hawaii April 17, 1875 and ratified by the United States on May 31, 1875.
Negotiators were Henry A. P. Carter
, Minister to the US Elisha Hunt Allen
, Minister of Foreign Affairs William Lowthian Green
, and King Kalākaua
for the Kingdom of Hawaii. For the US, signers were Secretary of State Hamilton Fish
and president Ulysses S. Grant
.
The first shipment of sugar from Hawaii to the United States under the treaty arrived in San Francisco
in September 1876 in a ship commanded by Captain William H. Marston
.
The treaty gave free access to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
market for sugar and other products grown in the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
starting in September 1876. In return, the US gained lands in the area known as Puu Loa for what became known as the Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
naval base. The treaty led to large investment by Americans in sugar plantations in Hawaii
Sugar plantations in Hawaii
Sugarcane was introduced to Hawaii by its first inhabitants in approximately 600 AD and was observed by Captain Cook upon arrival in the islands in 1778. Sugar quickly turned into a big business and generated rapid population growth in the islands with 337,000 people immigrating over the span of a...
. The treaty was signed on January 30, 1875, ratified by the Kingdom of Hawaii April 17, 1875 and ratified by the United States on May 31, 1875.
Negotiators were Henry A. P. Carter
Henry A. P. Carter
Henry Alpheus Peirce Carter also known as Henry Augustus Peirce Carter was an American businessman, politician, and diplomat in the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Family life:...
, Minister to the US Elisha Hunt Allen
Elisha Hunt Allen
Elisha Hunt Allen was an American congressman, lawyer, diplomat, and judge and diplomat for the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:Elisha Hunt Allen was born January 28, 1804 in New Salem, Massachusetts. His father was Massachusetts minister, lawyer, and politician Samuel Clesson Allen and mother was Mary...
, Minister of Foreign Affairs William Lowthian Green
William Lowthian Green
William Lowthian Green was an English adventurer and merchant, who later became cabinet minister in the Kingdom of Hawaii. As an amateur geologist, he published a theory of the formation of the earth called the tetrahedral hypothesis.-Life:...
, and King Kalākaua
Kalakaua
Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
for the Kingdom of Hawaii. For the US, signers were Secretary of State Hamilton Fish
Hamilton Fish
Hamilton Fish was an American statesman and politician who served as the 16th Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary of State. Fish has been considered one of the best Secretary of States in the United States history; known for his judiciousness and reform efforts...
and president Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
.
The first shipment of sugar from Hawaii to the United States under the treaty arrived in San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
in September 1876 in a ship commanded by Captain William H. Marston
William H. Marston
Captain William Harrington Marston was an early resident of Berkeley, California. He served as President of the Town Board of Trustees from 1899 to 1903....
.
See also
- Honolulu Courthouse RiotHonolulu Courthouse RiotThe Honolulu Courthouse Riot, or the Election Riot, occurred in February 1874 when Hawaiian followers of Queen Emma, known as Emmaites, attacked supporters of King Kalakaua on the latter's election day and started a riot...
- Early History of Pearl Harbor
- List of bilateral treaties signed by the Kingdom of Hawaii