Hawaii's Annexation: Not Entirely Bloodless

The 1898 U.S. annexation of Hawaii followed the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani. While largely diplomatic, armed conflict did occur—the 1895 Wilcox Rebellion (Counterrevolution). Royalist forces led by Robert Wilcox fought the provisional government backed by U.S. troops. The uprising was crushed in days, with casualties on both sides. Thus, annexation involved some bloodshed, though the broader process was political.