Simone Lawson
The Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 was an agreement between the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii that allowed for duty-free trade and granted American residents in Hawaii the right to vote in elections. This treaty led to increased American business presence and influence in Hawaii, which ultimately contributed to the rise of political power for non-native businessmen and the decline of the monarchy. This influence culminated in the imposition of the Bayonet Constitution in 1887, which stripped King Kalākaua of his powers and transferred them to a cabinet of non-native politicians and businessmen. The Bayonet Constitution was drafted and forced upon the king at gunpoint by a militia of mostly American and European settlers, threatening his life if he did not comply.
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What You'll Learn
The Reciprocity Treaty was renewed in 1887
The Reciprocity Treaty, which was first signed in 1875, was renewed in 1887. By this time, the Kingdom of Hawaii was dominated by white settlers, landowners, and businessmen, many of whom were American. The treaty itself had already strengthened business ties between the US and Hawaii, and this renewal furthered American influence in the islands.
The treaty allowed American goods to enter Hawaii duty-free, and also granted US vessels exclusive access to Pearl River Harbour. This was a significant gain for the US, as they could now build a naval base in Pearl Harbour. However, the treaty was imbalanced, as Hawaii was a small group of islands that would always export less than it imported. This meant that the treaty was designed to benefit American businesses operating in Hawaii, rather than the Hawaiian kingdom itself.
The Reciprocity Treaty's renewal in 1887 was a key step towards the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the US. The treaty strengthened the position of American sugar plantation owners, who came to dominate the islands' politics and social life. It also led to changes in the landholding system and the prohibition of some aspects of Hawaiian culture, such as the native Hula dance.
On July 6, 1887, King Kalākaua was forced at gunpoint to sign a new constitution for the kingdom of Hawaii. This document became known as the Bayonet Constitution, as it was signed under the threat of force from an armed militia, the Honolulu Rifles. The new constitution stripped the king of much of his power, transferring it to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian people. It also gave voting rights to foreigners, including Americans, by linking the right to vote with property ownership.
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King Kalākaua was forced to sign a new constitution
On June 30, 1887, King Kalākaua was forced at gunpoint to sign a new constitution for the Kingdom of Hawaii, an amendment to the 1864 constitution. This document, drafted by a group of lawyers, became known as the Bayonet Constitution due to the armed militia that coerced the king. The Honolulu Rifles, a militia affiliated with the Hawaiian League, a non-native political party dominated by American and European businessmen, led the armed coercion.
The Bayonet Constitution stripped the king of most of his personal authority, empowering the legislature and cabinet of the government. It sharply curtailed the monarchy's authority, transferring power to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian people. The king's cabinet, headed by Walter M. Gibson, who supported the king's authority, was dismissed and replaced with non-native politicians and businessmen.
The constitution also removed the monarch's power to appoint members of the House of Nobles, the upper house of the legislature, making it a body elected by wealthy landowners. It further stipulated that the king was required to appoint a Minister of Finance to oversee government spending and submit an annual budget proposal to the legislature.
Additionally, the Bayonet Constitution made significant changes to voting requirements, introducing income and property qualifications to vote for or serve in the upper house. This disenfranchised approximately two-thirds of the Hawaiian population, disproportionately affecting native Hawaiians, while benefiting wealthy white male residents, particularly those in the sugar industry. The right to vote was also granted to foreigners, generally Americans and Europeans, by linking suffrage to property ownership.
The imposition of the Bayonet Constitution led to a series of rebellions by Native Hawaiians, who sought to restore King Kalākaua's power and authority. The eventual overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, Kalākaua's successor, and the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii were contrary to the will of the native Hawaiians. The Bayonet Constitution marked a significant step towards the decline of the monarchy and the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
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The new constitution stripped the king of his powers
The Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 led to the Bayonet Constitution in 1887, which stripped King Kalākaua of his powers. The Reciprocity Treaty, which was a renewal of an earlier treaty, strengthened business ties between the United States and Hawaii, giving American businesses a strong presence in the islands. This eventually led to the Bayonet Constitution, which transferred power from the king to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian businessmen and politicians.
On June 30, 1887, King Kalākaua was confronted by an armed militia, the Honolulu Rifles, and politicians who were members of the Reform Party of the Hawaiian Kingdom. They demanded that he dismiss his cabinet, which supported the king's authority. The Honolulu Rifles were affiliated with the Hawaiian League, a group of non-native, mostly American businessmen who opposed the king and wanted to end the kingdom.
Faced with the threat of force, King Kalākaua was compelled to sign the new constitution on July 6, 1887, which became known as the Bayonet Constitution. This document sharply curtailed the king's authority and transferred power to the legislature and cabinet of the government. The king's cabinet was replaced by non-native politicians and businessmen, and the king lost his power to appoint members to the House of Nobles, which became an elected body dominated by wealthy landowners.
The Bayonet Constitution also made significant changes to voting requirements, requiring an income of $600 or taxable property of $3000 to vote for or serve in the upper house. This disenfranchised most native Hawaiians, while disproportionately benefiting white male residents involved in the sugar industry. The king's absolute veto power was removed, and his military power was reduced. The new constitution also granted suffrage to foreigners by linking the right to vote with property ownership.
The Bayonet Constitution marked a significant shift in the balance of power in Hawaii, away from the monarchy and towards a group of non-native businessmen and politicians, setting the stage for the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
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It also disenfranchised most Hawaiians
The Bayonet Constitution was a revision to the 1864 constitution that transferred power from King Kalākaua to his cabinet. The document also granted suffrage to foreigners, particularly Americans, by linking the right to vote with property ownership. This meant that two-thirds of the Hawaiian population, mostly native Hawaiians, were disenfranchised. The Bayonet Constitution also removed the monarch's power to appoint members of the House of Nobles, making it a body elected by wealthy landowners.
The Bayonet Constitution was drafted by a group of lawyers, including Thurston, Dole, William Ansel Kinney, William Owen Smith, George Norton Wilcox, and Edward Griffin Hitchcock. All were associated with the Hawaiian League, a secret cabal of white businessmen, landowners, and missionary descendants. The Hawaiian League wanted to end the kingdom and transfer power to a coalition of Americans, Europeans, and native Hawaiians. The document was signed by King Kalākaua at gunpoint on July 6, 1887, leading to the constitution's nickname, the Bayonet Constitution.
The Bayonet Constitution was the first step in the decline of the monarchy. It did not depose the king, but it placed considerable limitations on his power. The native Hawaiian population of the Hawaiian Kingdom sought to restore King Kalākaua's power and authority, leading to a series of rebellions. On January 5, 1895, during the "Wilcox Rebellion," an armed revolt was suppressed by the Republic of Hawaii forces, and the leaders of the revolt were imprisoned along with Queen Liliuokalani.
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The constitution led to the eventual annexation of Hawaii
The Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 led to the eventual annexation of Hawaii. The treaty was renewed in 1887, and by this time, the Kingdom of Hawaii was dominated by white settlers, missionaries, and businessmen. The Reciprocity Treaty allowed American goods to enter Hawaii duty-free, and it also granted US vessels exclusive access to Pearl River Harbor. This treaty strengthened business ties between the US and Hawaii, and it particularly benefited American sugar plantation owners, who came to dominate the islands' politics and social life.
The Reciprocity Treaty also had significant political implications for Hawaii. In 1887, King Kalākaua was forced, at gunpoint, to sign a new constitution that severely curtailed his powers and transferred authority to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian politicians. This new constitution, drafted by a group of lawyers associated with the Hawaiian League, became known as the Bayonet Constitution. It stripped the king of his personal authority, empowering the legislature and cabinet of the government. The Bayonet Constitution also made changes to voting requirements, disenfranchising most native Hawaiians and giving suffrage to foreigners, including American and European settlers.
The imposition of the Bayonet Constitution led to a series of rebellions by native Hawaiians, who sought to restore the king's powers. However, these rebellions were suppressed, and in 1897, US President McKinley, in favor of annexation, signed a treaty of annexation with representatives of the Republic of Hawaii. This treaty was ratified by the US Senate, and on July 7, 1898, the Hawaiian Islands were officially annexed by the United States through a joint resolution. Thus, the Reciprocity Treaty, by strengthening American business and political influence in Hawaii, set in motion a series of events that ultimately led to the annexation of the islands.
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Frequently asked questions
The Reciprocity Treaty was an agreement between the Kingdom of Hawaii and the United States that allowed for duty-free trade between the two nations.
The Reciprocity Treaty granted American residents in Hawaii the right to vote in elections, leading to businessmen becoming powerful on the islands. It also allowed U.S. national vessels exclusive access to Pearl River Harbor for establishing a coaling and repair station.
The Bayonet Constitution was a revision to the 1864 constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii, signed by King Kalākaua in 1887. It stripped the king of his powers and transferred them to his cabinet, which was composed of non-native politicians and businessmen.
The Reciprocity Treaty led to an increase in American influence in Hawaii, with many American businessmen becoming powerful on the islands. This eventually resulted in a militia of these businessmen, known as the Honolulu Rifles, forcing King Kalākaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution at gunpoint, threatening to depose him otherwise.
The Bayonet Constitution severely weakened the Hawaiian monarchy and led to a decline in Hawaiian sovereignty. It also disenfranchised most native Hawaiians, as the right to vote was linked to property ownership, which disproportionately benefited wealthy white male residents involved in the sugar industry. This further solidified the power of American businessmen on the islands.
