The Hawaii Annexation refers to the process by which the United States acquired the Hawaiian Islands in the late 19th century. In 1893, a group of American businessmen and sugar planters overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy, led by Queen Liliʻuokalani. This led to the establishment of a provisional government that sought annexation by the U.S. In 1898, the Newlands Resolution was passed, officially annexing Hawaii as a U.S. territory. The annexation was controversial, as many native Hawaiians opposed it, feeling it undermined their sovereignty. Hawaii later became the 50th state of the U.S. in 1959.