Eleanor Finch
Hawaii's history as a monarchy was short-lived, lasting only eighty years from 1810 when King Kamehameha I united the islands. The kingdom's sovereignty was threatened throughout its history, but the signing of the Bayonet Constitution in 1887 marked the beginning of the end. This new constitution, drafted by non-natives, stripped the monarchy of its powers and set the stage for US annexation. The last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, was overthrown in a coup in 1893, and Hawaii was formally annexed by the US in 1898.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the new constitution | 1887 |
| Type of government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Power dynamics | The monarch could appoint but not dismiss cabinet ministers without legislative approval |
| Voting eligibility | Only those with property worth $3000 or an annual income of at least $600 |
| Electoral franchise | Transferred to an elite class of American, European, and native Hawaiian landowners |
| Native Hawaiian opinion | There were a series of rebellions by Native Hawaiians |
| Annexation | Hawaii was annexed by the US in 1898 |
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What You'll Learn
The 1887 Bayonet Constitution
King David Kalakaua, facing the threat of force, was compelled to sign the new constitution, which curtailed the authority of the monarchy and transferred power to a settler-friendly legislature. The constitution stripped the king of his personal authority, vesting more power in the legislature and cabinet. It removed the monarch's absolute veto power, allowing it to be overridden by a two-thirds majority in the legislature. Additionally, the king could no longer act or appoint cabinet ministers without the consent of his cabinet, and the legislature gained the authority to dismiss the cabinet.
The Bayonet Constitution also altered the eligibility requirements for voting and serving in the House of Nobles, the upper house of the legislature. It imposed high property and income requirements, favouring wealthy landowners, particularly those who had profited from the sugar industry. This effectively disenfranchised a significant portion of the native Hawaiian population, as only a small percentage met these stringent financial criteria.
The constitution was drafted by Lorrin Thurston, the Hawaiian Minister of the Interior, and supported by a militia known as the Honolulu Rifles, which consisted primarily of white settlers. The Honolulu Rifles were affiliated with the Hawaiian League, a group that sought to transfer power away from the monarchy. Despite signing the constitution, King Kalakaua's successor, Queen Liliuokalani, refused to recognise it and sought to restore the monarchy's power. However, her efforts ultimately led to her overthrow in 1893 by a group of American sugar planters led by Sanford Ballard Dole, who established a provisional government.
The Bayonet Constitution marked a significant shift in the balance of power in Hawaii, diminishing the authority of the monarchy and empowering a select group of landowners and settlers. It represented a pivotal moment in Hawaii's history, setting the stage for further political upheaval and the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
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The Hawaiian monarchy's overthrow
The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy took place on January 17, 1893, when a group of American sugar planters, led by Sanford Ballard Dole, overthrew Queen Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian monarch. The coup was supported by John L. Stevens, the U.S. minister to Hawaii, and 300 U.S. Marines from the U.S. cruiser Boston, who were called in to protect American lives and business interests. This event marked the end of the unified Hawaiian kingdom, which had been ruled by the Kalākaua dynasty since 1810.
The Hawaiian monarchy had been facing threats to its sovereignty throughout its history, but the signing of the Bayonet Constitution in 1887 significantly increased these threats. King David Kalakaua was forced to sign this new constitution, which limited the power of the monarchy and transferred power to an elite class of landowners, including Americans, Europeans, and native Hawaiians. When Kalakaua died in 1891, his sister Liliuokalani became queen and sought to restore the monarchy's powers by promulgating a new constitution. However, her efforts were met with opposition from non-native Hawaiian subjects, who formed the "`Committee of Safety'" and staged a coup in 1893.
The Committee of Safety, composed of foreign residents and Hawaiian subjects of American descent, had the stated goals of deposing the queen, overthrowing the monarchy, and seeking Hawaii's annexation to the United States. They prevailed upon John L. Stevens, the U.S. minister to Hawaii, to call in U.S. Marines to protect American interests, and a provisional government was established with Dole as president. The new government realized that Hawaii was too weak to survive in a world of aggressive imperialism and sought annexation by the United States.
The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy was met with sadness and resentment by the Hawaiian people, and it was later recognized as an illegal act by the U.S. government. In 1895, there was a brief effort to restore Liliuokalani to the throne, but it was thwarted, and she was placed under house arrest. She eventually abdicated her throne in return for the commutation of the sentences of her fellow conspirators. In 1897, President Grover Cleveland sent a new U.S. minister to Hawaii to restore Queen Liliuokalani under the 1887 constitution, but Dole refused to step aside and proclaimed the independent Republic of Hawaii. Hawaii was formally annexed by the United States in 1898, becoming a U.S. territory in 1900 and a state in 1959.
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The Republic of Hawaii
On January 17, 1893, the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by a group of American sugar planters led by Sanford Ballard Dole, who overthrew Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's monarch, and established a new provincial government with himself as president. This coup was supported by John L. Stevens, the U.S. minister to Hawaii, and 300 U.S. Marines from the U.S. cruiser Boston, who were called in to allegedly protect American lives.
The roots of this coup can be traced back to the signing of the 1887 Bayonet Constitution, which stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of its powers and transferred them to an elite class of American, European, and native Hawaiian landowners. This constitution was signed by King David Kalakaua under threat of force. When Kalakaua died in 1891, his sister Liliuokalani ascended the throne and began planning to restore the monarchy's powers. However, a group of American and European residents, opposed to the queen, organised the coup with the support of the US government.
Following the coup, a provisional government was formed, with the intention of eventually annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States. On July 4, 1894, the Republic of Hawaii was officially founded, with Sanford Dole as its president. The Republic of Hawaii was recognised as a protectorate of the United States by Minister John Stevens. The new government was not supported by the majority of native Hawaiians, who continued to support Queen Liliuokalani. There were several rebellions and attempts to restore the monarchy, including the Wilcox Rebellion in 1895, during which Queen Liliuokalani was imprisoned.
In 1897, after the election of President William McKinley, negotiations began for the annexation of Hawaii. A treaty of annexation was signed with representatives of the Republic of Hawaii, but it was never ratified by the U.S. Senate. Despite this, in 1898, the Newlands Resolution was passed, annexing the Republic of Hawaii and making it a U.S. territory. This was strongly opposed by the majority of native Hawaiians, including Queen Liliuokalani. Hawaii remained a U.S. territory until 1959, when it became the 50th state of the United States.
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The US annexation of Hawaii
In the 1830s, the sugar industry was introduced to Hawaii, and by the mid-19th century, it had become well-established. The sugar industry played a significant role in the US's increasing involvement in Hawaii. The US import tariff on sugar from Hawaii was much higher than the import tariffs Hawaiians were charging the US, leading to a reciprocity treaty in 1875. However, the McKinley Tariff of 1890 annulled this arrangement, undermining Hawaii's special status and leading to a drop in sugar prices. This provided further incentive for Hawaiian sugar interests to press for annexation.
The growing influence of American sugar planters and businessmen contributed to political instability in Hawaii. In 1887, a new constitution, known as the "Bayonet Constitution," was forced upon King David Kalākaua under threat of force. This constitution limited the power of the monarchy and transferred power to an elite class of landowners, including American, European, and native Hawaiian elites. When Kalākaua died in 1891, his sister, Liliuokalani, ascended the throne, intending to restore power to the monarchy by promulgating a new constitution.
However, in January 1893, a group of mostly non-Hawaiians, including American sugar planters and businessmen, staged a coup against Queen Liliuokalani, establishing a provisional government with Sanford B. Dole as president. This coup was supported by John L. Stevens, the US minister to Hawaii, who sent US Marines to the islands, allegedly to protect American lives and property. The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy was driven by a desire to annex the islands to the United States, and on February 1, 1898, Stevens proclaimed Hawaii a protectorate of the US.
The debate over Hawaiian annexation continued in the US, with critics arguing that it was immoral and driven by sugar interests. However, the Spanish-American War of 1898 provided the necessary impetus for annexation. The strategic use of the naval base at Pearl Harbor during the war convinced Congress to approve formal annexation. On June 15, 1898, the House passed a joint resolution for annexation, which was signed by President McKinley. This marked the formal annexation of Hawaii as a US territory, and in 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.
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The Hawaiian monarchy's legacy
The Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown on January 17, 1893, when a group of 13 white businessmen and lawyers, led by Sanford Ballard Dole, staged a coup d'état against Queen Liliuokalani and her government. This was driven by missionary religion and the economics of the sugar industry, with American sugar planters seeking to broaden their control over Hawaiian affairs.
However, the legacy of Hawaii's monarchy extends far beyond this tragic event. From 1810, when King Kamehameha I unified the Hawaiian Islands, becoming the first sovereign to rule over all Hawaii, the kingdom's monarchs left a lasting impact on the islands.
One of the most notable aspects of the Hawaiian monarchy's legacy is their commitment to the well-being of Native Hawaiians. For example, in 1850, King Kamehameha III appointed the first Board of Health for the Kingdom of Hawaii, demonstrating a proactive approach to public health that predated similar initiatives in other parts of the world. The monarchy was also instrumental in establishing hospitals, schools, and trusts for the Hawaiian people, reflecting their deep involvement in local communities.
Another key aspect of the monarchy's legacy is their support for Hawaiian culture and traditions. King Kalākaua, the last king of Hawaii, was particularly influential in this regard. Nicknamed the "Merrie Monarch," he championed the return of Hawaiian traditions such as the hula, which early Christian missionaries had condemned. Kalākaua was proud of Hawaiian arts and hosted elaborate celebrations featuring hula performances. His legacy is honoured through the world-famous hula competition in Hilo.
Additionally, the monarchy played a role in shaping Hawaii's political landscape. The 1839 Hawaiian Bill of Rights, also known as the 1839 Constitution of Hawaii, was an attempt by Kamehameha III to protect the land rights of the Hawaiian people and lay the groundwork for a free enterprise system. While the 1887 Bayonet Constitution limited the monarchy's power, it also established a constitutional monarchy, similar to Britain's, and redefined the electoral franchise to include an elite class of American, European, and native Hawaiian landowners.
The monarchy's legacy is also evident in the physical landscape of Hawaii. For example, the construction of Iolani Palace, where Queen Liliuokalani was imprisoned and later placed under house arrest, is a reminder of the monarchy's downfall.
Finally, it is worth noting that the monarchy's impact extended beyond their rule, as they had a profound influence on the development of modern Hawaii. The monarchy's descendants and potential heirs continue to be a presence in Hawaiian society, and their commitment to education, healthcare, and the well-being of their people has helped shape the unique culture and environment that Hawaii is known for today.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hawaiian monarchy was a unified kingdom under a single monarch, starting in 1810 when King Kamehameha I brought all the islands under his control.
The new constitution, also known as the Bayonet Constitution, was drafted in 1887 by Lorrin Thurston, the Hawaiian Minister of the Interior. It stripped the monarch of their powers and transferred them to an elite class of American, European, and native Hawaiian landowners.
The new constitution greatly lessened the power of the monarch, King Kalākaua, and allowed Euro-American business elites to hold disproportionate power. It also allowed the monarch to appoint but not dismiss cabinet ministers without legislative approval.
Following the new constitution, a group of non-native U.S. businessmen and politicians with sugar interests, led by Sanford Dole, overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in a coup in 1893. They established a new provincial government with Dole as president, ending the monarchy.
