The dark history of the overthrow of Hawaii - Sydney Iaukea
TLDRQueen Lili’uokalani of Hawaii faced a turbulent reign as American missionaries and their descendants, known as the Missionary Party, sought to annex Hawaii for US control. Despite the Bayonet Constitution that stripped Hawaiians of rights and the coup that deposed her, she fought for her people's rights and sovereignty. Her efforts to halt annexation were ultimately thwarted by the US government's strategic interests, leading to her life-long struggle for Hawaiian national liberation and the restoration of her people's lands and rights.
Takeaways
- 👑 Queen Lili’uokalani was the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, imprisoned during a turbulent period in Hawaiian history.
- 📚 American missionaries initially helped establish Hawaii as a sovereign kingdom but later sought to annex it to the U.S. for business interests.
- 🛡️ The Bayonet Constitution, forced upon King Kalākaua, reduced the monarchy's power and stripped Native Hawaiians of their rights.
- 🏰 Lili’uokalani ascended to the throne with the intent to restore power to her people, many of whom had lost their voting rights.
- 📜 She authored a new constitution to address the injustices, but it was never implemented due to a coup d'état.
- 🤝 The 'Committee of Safety,' consisting of Missionary Party members, staged a coup and removed Queen Lili’uokalani from power.
- 🇺🇸 Over 160 U.S. Marines facilitated the coup, leading to the establishment of a provisional government and the Republic of Hawaii.
- 🚫 The new government imposed restrictions on Hawaiians, including limitations on voting and government employment.
- ✊ Some Hawaiians attempted a counterrevolution, which was met with harsh repression by the Republic.
- 📝 Lili’uokalani was forced to sign away her throne under duress and was imprisoned in the palace.
- 🌹 Despite her confinement, she continued to express her love for her people through song and art.
- 📰 She remained politically active, traveling to Washington, D.C., to halt the annexation treaty, though ultimately unsuccessful.
- 🏠 After her house arrest was lifted, she dedicated her life to advocating for Hawaiian rights and sovereignty.
- 💔 The U.S. declared Hawaii a territory in 1898, disregarding international law and the wishes of the Hawaiian people.
- 🔍 Lili’uokalani's legacy is one of resilience and unwavering commitment to her homeland and its people.
Q & A
What significant event occurred on January 16th, 1895?
-On January 16th, 1895, Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawaii was arrested and imprisoned by a group that had recently seized power.
Who were the American missionaries and what was their initial role in Hawaii?
-The American missionaries were individuals who arrived in Hawaii 75 years prior to the arrest of Queen Lili’uokalani. They amassed power, built businesses, claimed land, and worked closely with the ali’i, the Hawaiian nobility, to establish Hawaii as a sovereign kingdom with a constitutional monarchy.
What was the Bayonet Constitution and what were its consequences for Native Hawaiians?
-The Bayonet Constitution was legislation forced upon King Kalākaua by the Missionary Party in 1887. It stripped Native Hawaiians of their rights, diminished the monarchy's power, and ceded control to a group of white businessmen.
What was the Missionary Party and how did they influence Hawaii's political landscape?
-The Missionary Party was a political group formed by descendants of the American missionaries. They plotted to annex Hawaii, bringing it under US control, and later played a key role in the coup that removed Queen Lili’uokalani from power.
What was Queen Lili’uokalani's response to the threats against her and her people?
-Queen Lili’uokalani was determined to restore power to her people despite death threats and rumors of insurgency. She authored a new constitution to address the issues raised by the Bayonet Constitution.
What was the 'Committee of Safety' and what role did it play in the coup against Queen Lili’uokalani?
-The 'Committee of Safety' was an organization consisting of many Missionary Party members. They staged a coup on January 17th, 1893, under the false pretense that Queen Lili’uokalani's new constitution endangered American property and lives, leading to her removal from office.
How did the 'Provisional Government' treat Hawaiians after the coup?
-The 'Provisional Government' declared Hawaii a Republic and imposed restrictions on Hawaiians, stating they couldn't vote or be government employees without signing a new 'oath of allegiance', which many refused.
What was the response of Hawaiians to the 'Provisional Government'?
-Thousands of Hawaiians protested the coup, with some wearing hat bands reading 'Aloha ’Āina', meaning 'love of the nation'. There were also attempts at a counterrevolution by Lili’uokalani's supporters.
What actions did Queen Lili’uokalani take while under house arrest?
-While under house arrest, Queen Lili’uokalani composed songs expressing her love for her people and began making a patchwork quilt that told the story of her life.
What efforts did Queen Lili’uokalani make after her house arrest was lifted?
-After her house arrest was lifted, Queen Lili’uokalani traveled to Washington, D.C., with Hawaiian nationalists and over 20,000 signatures, successfully convincing Congress to halt the Republic’s annexation treaty.
How did Queen Lili’uokalani spend the rest of her life after the US declared Hawaii a territory?
-Queen Lili’uokalani spent the rest of her life petitioning for the restoration of her lands, Native Hawaiian rights, and national liberation, but these dreams were unrealized at the time of her death in 1917.
Outlines
👑 Overthrow of Queen Lili’uokalani
The script recounts the tragic tale of Queen Lili’uokalani's overthrow on January 16th, 1895, by a group that had seized power in Hawaii. It delves into the historical context, starting with the arrival of American missionaries who gained significant influence and power, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, with the emergence of business opportunities, particularly the prospect of exporting sugar to the US, some descendants of these missionaries formed the 'Missionary Party' with the aim of annexing Hawaii to the US. The script details the Bayonet Constitution that stripped Native Hawaiians of their rights and diminished the monarchy's power. It also describes how Queen Lili’uokalani, despite threats and challenges, sought to restore power to her people and authored a new constitution. The coup staged by the 'Committee of Safety' led to her removal from office, the declaration of a Republic, and subsequent suppression of Hawaiian rights. The queen's imprisonment and her efforts to regain her throne and rights for her people are highlighted, culminating in the US annexation of Hawaii against international law, which shattered her dreams.
🌺 Legacy of Queen Lili’uokalani
This paragraph honors the enduring legacy of Queen Lili’uokalani, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to her land and people. The queen's dedication is encapsulated in her words about Hawaii's children, expressing her willingness to give her last drop of blood for them. The script suggests that her memory continues to inspire Hawaiians in their ongoing fight for their rights and heritage, thus ensuring that her spirit and struggle live on in the hearts and actions of her people.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Lili’uokalani
💡Ali’i
💡Missionary Party
💡Bayonet Constitution
💡Committee of Safety
💡Annexation
💡Aloha ’Āina
💡Provisional Government
💡Counterrevolution
💡House Arrest
💡Petition
Highlights
On January 16th, 1895, Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawaii was arrested and imprisoned by a group that had recently seized power.
American missionaries who arrived 75 years earlier had amassed power and built businesses, eventually forming the 'Missionary Party' to plot Hawaii's annexation by the US.
The Missionary Party helped establish Hawaii as a constitutional monarchy but later shifted positions to pursue business opportunities, such as exporting sugar tariff-free to the US.
Queen Lili’uokalani, born into the ali’i nobility, assumed the throne in 1891 with a determination to fight for her people's rights, many of whom had lost their voting rights under the Bayonet Constitution.
The Bayonet Constitution of 1887 stripped Native Hawaiians of their rights, diminished the monarchy's power, and ceded control to a group of white businessmen.
Queen Lili’uokalani authored a new constitution to restore power to her people, but before she could introduce it, the 'Committee of Safety' staged a coup on January 17th, 1893, leading to her removal from office.
The 'Committee of Safety,' consisting of many Missionary Party members, falsely claimed that the new constitution endangered American property and lives as a pretense for the coup.
Over 160 US Marines marched to the palace during the coup, and the 'Provisional Government' declared Hawaii a Republic the following year, imposing restrictions on Hawaiian voting and government employment.
Many Hawaiians refused to sign the new 'oath of allegiance' and protested the annexation, with some wearing hat bands reading 'Aloha ’Āina' or 'love of the nation.'
In response to a counterrevolution attempt by Lili’uokalani's supporters, the Republic jailed hundreds and sentenced six people to death, forcing the Queen to sign a document relinquishing her throne.
Queen Lili’uokalani was imprisoned in the palace under constant guard, where she composed songs and made a patchwork quilt that told the story of her life.
Despite being allowed only censored news, her supporters brought her bouquets wrapped in newspaper, providing a way for her to stay informed.
After eight months, Lili’uokalani was placed under house arrest, and once it was lifted, she traveled to Washington, D.C., with Hawaiian nationalists and over 20,000 signatures to halt the annexation treaty.
The Spanish-American War led to President William McKinley declaring Hawaii a US territory on July 7th, 1898, breaking international law and devastating the Queen and her people.
Queen Lili’uokalani spent the rest of her life petitioning for the restoration of her lands, Native Hawaiian rights, and national liberation, but her dreams remained unrealized at her death in 1917.
A member of the group that forced the Queen out of office once declared the need to 'obliterate the past' for peace and annexation, but Queen Lili’uokalani's legacy of resilience and commitment to her land and people remains.
Queen Lili’uokalani's legacy continues to inspire Hawaiians to fight for their rights and national liberation in her memory.
Transcripts
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