In what year did the USA officially claim Hawaii as a protectorate?

The choice of 1875 is significant because this year marks the signing of the Reciprocity Treaty between the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii. While this treaty itself did not officially make Hawaii a protectorate, it laid the groundwork for deeper economic and political ties between the islands and the U.S. The treaty allowed for duty-free imports of Hawaiian sugar to the U.S. and provided a strong incentive for American interests to gain greater influence over Hawaiian affairs. This growing relationship eventually led to the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, but the key step in asserting influence, which would evolve into a protectorate status, took place with the 1875 treaty.

Therefore, 1875 is crucial in the timeline of events that increased American involvement in Hawaii, leading toward eventual formal claims and control in the following decades.