Final answer:
Queen Lili'uokalani was the last ruler of the independent Kingdom of Hawai'i, which was later annexed to the United States due to the interests of American businessmen in the sugar industry. The queen's efforts to counter their power led to her overthrow by businessmen working with the American minister to Hawaii.
Step-by-step explanation:
Queen Lili'uokalani was the last ruler of the independent Kingdom of Hawai'i, which was later annexed to the United States. The annexation was prompted by the interests of American businessmen in the profitable sugar industry in Hawai'i.
The American sugar industry had been granted tariff-free access to Hawaiian sugar through trade agreements, and when Queen Lili'uokalani tried to counter their power, worried businessmen worked with the American minister to Hawaii to overthrow her and seize the islands.