3
QuizMultiple Choice

The Spanish-American War

Question 3 • MO-US History II A

Why did President Cleveland refuse to annex Hawaii?

Answer
A
He felt annexation would be unjust and illegal.
B
He thought the islands were too expensive to maintain.
C
He considered Hawaii too far away to govern effectively.
D
He believed Hawaii would not influence trade with Asia.

Explanation

President Grover Cleveland opposed annexation because he concluded that the overthrow of Hawaii’s queen had been aided by U.S. representatives and that taking the islands without the Hawaiian people’s consent would be unjust and unlawful. He therefore withdrew the annexation treaty from consideration. The correct choice is “He felt annexation would be unjust and illegal.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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