"50th State" & "Annexation of Hawaii"

What is the thesis (main argument) of "The Annexation of Hawaii"?

• Hawaii’s annexation was necessary for economic and military reasons.

• The annexation of Hawaii was unfair and harmed native Hawaiians.

• The annexation of Hawaii had no impact on Hawaiian culture.

• Hawaii was already an American territory before annexation.

Answer explanation

Answer: b) The annexation of Hawaii was unfair and harmed native Hawaiians.
Explanation: The passage argues that annexation led to the loss of Hawaiian culture and the suffering of native Hawaiians. It states, “It took barely one hundred years for the foreign invaders to erase Hawaiian culture almost completely.”

What is the thesis (main argument) of "The 50th State"?

• Annexation brought economic, military, and cultural benefits to Hawaii.

• Annexation had no impact on Hawaii’s future.

• Hawaii should not have become a U.S. state.

• The U.S. forced Hawaii to become a part of the country.

Answer explanation

Answer: a) Annexation brought economic, military, and cultural benefits to Hawaii.
Explanation: The passage presents annexation as a positive event, emphasizing benefits such as military security, economic growth, and cultural development.

Which of the following statements from "The 50th State" represents a counterclaim to the argument in "The Annexation of Hawaii"?

• "Annexation brought military, economic, and cultural benefits."

• "The annexation of Hawaii was unfair to native Hawaiians."

• "Hawaii remained independent long after annexation."

• "Hawaii’s population declined after annexation."

Answer explanation

Answer: a) "Annexation brought military, economic, and cultural benefits."
Explanation: A counterclaim is an opposing argument. While "The Annexation of Hawaii" argues that annexation harmed native Hawaiians, "The 50th State" presents the opposite perspective by highlighting its benefits.

How does "The Annexation of Hawaii" concede (acknowledge) that annexation had some benefits while still arguing against it?

• By admitting that Hawaii became a military and economic resource but arguing it was done at the expense of native Hawaiians.

• By stating that native Hawaiians fully supported annexation.

• By explaining that Hawaii was a weak country before annexation.

• By focusing only on the negative aspects of annexation.

Answer explanation

Answer: a) By admitting that Hawaii became a military and economic resource but arguing it was done at the expense of native Hawaiians.
Explanation: The text acknowledges that Hawaii was “promptly turned into a military outpost and economic resource,” but argues that this did not benefit native Hawaiians, who lost cultural and political independence.

Which statement from "The Annexation of Hawaii" best represents the rebuttal to the argument in "The 50th State"?

• "Hawaii was annexed in 1898 and promptly turned into a military outpost and economic resource."

• "It took barely one hundred years for the foreign invaders to erase Hawaiian culture almost completely."

• "The military alone has generated nearly $15 billion for the state’s economy."

• "Thanks to its annexation, more than a million Americans call Hawaii home."

Answer explanation

Answer: b) "It took barely one hundred years for the foreign invaders to erase Hawaiian culture almost completely."
Explanation: A rebuttal is a response to a counterclaim. While "The 50th State" presents annexation as beneficial, "The Annexation of Hawaii" counters that argument by emphasizing the destruction of native Hawaiian culture.

How does the author’s perspective in "The Annexation of Hawaii" influence what details are included?

• The author focuses on the suffering of native Hawaiians and loss of culture.

• The author presents both sides equally.

• The author mainly discusses economic growth.

• The author avoids making a judgment.

Answer explanation

 a) The author focuses on the suffering of native Hawaiians and loss of culture.
Explanation: The passage describes how Hawaiian culture was nearly erased, stating, “Children were Americanized in English-only schools. Even the native Hula dance was prohibited.”

How does the author’s perspective in "The 50th State" influence the details included?

• The author focuses on the benefits of annexation, such as economic growth and military security.

• The author focuses on the struggles of native Hawaiians.

• The author criticizes U.S. involvement in Hawaii.

• The author does not take a side.

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: a) The author focuses on the benefits of annexation, such as economic growth and military security.
Explanation: The text presents annexation as a positive event, stating that "millions of Americans call Hawaii home” and that it brought economic stability.

How do the perspectives of the two passages differ?

• One supports annexation, and one criticizes it.

• Both argue that annexation harmed native Hawaiians.

• Both argue that annexation was beneficial.

• Neither text takes a clear stance.

Answer explanation

Answer: a) One supports annexation, and one criticizes it.
Explanation: "The Annexation of Hawaii" argues that annexation harmed native Hawaiians, while "The 50th State" argues that annexation was beneficial for military, economic, and cultural reasons.

Which passage presents annexation as a necessary decision for the U.S. government?

• "The Annexation of Hawaii"

• "The 50th State"

• Both passages

• Neither passage

Answer explanation

Answer: b) "The 50th State"
Explanation: "The 50th State" explains that annexation was driven by military needs, stating that “the U.S. Navy needed a base in the Pacific where it could refuel ships. Hawaii was the perfect solution.”

Which passage is more likely to contain an unreliable narrator?

• "The Annexation of Hawaii"

• "The 50th State"

• Both could be unreliable

• Neither passage

Answer explanation

Answer: c) Both could be unreliable
Explanation: Each passage presents a one-sided perspective. "The Annexation of Hawaii" focuses only on negative effects, while "The 50th State" emphasizes only benefits. A fully reliable narrator would include both sides fairly.