Simone Lawson
The Bayonet Constitution, also known as the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was signed on August 30, 1887. This document was prepared by anti-monarchists to reduce the power of the Hawaiian monarchy and transfer it to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian people. The name Bayonet Constitution refers to the threat of force used to coerce King Kalākaua into signing it. The constitution was never ratified by the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature and sparked efforts to restore the monarchy's power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 30th August 1887 |
| People Involved | King Kalākaua, Queen Liliuokalani, Sanford B. Dole, Walter M. Gibson, Lorrin Thurston, Attorney General Ashford, James Blount, Kamehameha V, British Consul Wodehouse |
| Events | King Kalākaua forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution under threat of violence and deposition, stripping him of most of his personal authority |
| Impact | Transfer of power to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian people, disenfranchisement of Native Hawaiians, and increased U.S. influence in Hawaii |
| Motives | Anti-monarchist sentiments, desire for control of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and annexation of Hawaii by the United States |
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What You'll Learn
The Bayonet Constitution was signed in 1887
The signing of the Bayonet Constitution occurred on June 30, 1887, during a tumultuous period in Hawaii. An armed militia, known as the Honolulu Rifles, alongside politicians from the Reform Party of the Hawaiian Kingdom, confronted King Kalākaua. They demanded the dismissal of his cabinet, led by Walter M. Gibson, who supported the king's authority. Under duress and facing the threat of deposition, King Kalākaua acquiesced to their demands and signed the document.
The Bayonet Constitution had far-reaching implications for the Hawaiian Kingdom. It stripped the king of much of his personal authority, empowering the legislature and cabinet of the government instead. This transfer of power had a direct impact on the Native Hawaiian population, who found themselves disenfranchised by the new voting requirements. The constitution introduced income and literacy standards that disproportionately affected Native Hawaiians, preventing a significant portion of them from exercising their right to vote.
The document also carried implications for Hawaii's foreign relations. It facilitated the dominance of the legislature by wealthy, anti-monarchy elites, who had close ties to the United States. This shift in power enabled the eventual cession of Pearl Harbor to the U.S., further intertwining Hawaii's sugar economy with that of the United States.
The Bayonet Constitution was a pivotal moment in the transition of power in the Hawaiian Kingdom, setting in motion a series of events that would ultimately shape the region's future. It is important to note that this constitution was never ratified by the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature, and subsequent efforts were made to restore the monarchy's power.
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It stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of power
On 30 June 1887, King Kalākaua of Hawaii was forced to sign a new constitution, threatening his deposition and even death if he refused. This document, known as the Bayonet Constitution, stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of power and transferred it to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian elites.
The Bayonet Constitution was a direct attack on the absolute monarchy of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It removed the king's personal authority, empowering the legislature and cabinet of the government instead. The king's ability to act independently of his cabinet was taken away, and the legislature gained the power to dismiss the cabinet, rather than the king. The constitution also replaced the king's absolute veto with a qualified veto that could be overridden by a two-thirds vote in the legislature.
The new constitution was never ratified in the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature and was imposed by a minority of the kingdom's subjects, including foreign nationals. It was drafted by anti-monarchists and served their interests. It facilitated the domination of the legislature by wealthy, anti-monarchy elites, and it disenfranchised many Native Hawaiians through income and literacy requirements. The Bayonet Constitution also barred Asians from voting and granted suffrage to white non-citizens who met income and landownership requirements.
The Bayonet Constitution was part of a broader movement to gain control of the Hawaiian Kingdom and eventually annex Hawaii as a US territory. The constitution allowed for the cession of Pearl Harbor to the US, bringing Hawaii's sugar economy closer to that of the US. The US annexation of Hawaii was achieved in 1900, and the islands experienced rapid population growth and economic consolidation as a US territory.
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It was signed under threat of violence
The Bayonet Constitution, officially known as the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was signed on June 30, 1887, by King Kalākaua under threat of violence. The constitution was drafted by a group of lawyers, including Thurston, Dole, William Ansel Kinney, William Owen Smith, George Norton Wilcox, and Edward Griffin Hitchcock, who were also associated with the Hawaiian League. The Hawaiian League, a political organization, had wanted to end the kingdom and annex Hawaii to the United States.
The Bayonet Constitution stripped the king of most of his personal authority and empowered the legislature and cabinet of the government. It was called the "Bayonet Constitution" because it was signed under the threat of force against King Kalākaua. While Thurston and Dole denied the use of coercion and threats, Queen Liliuokalani asserted that the king's life was threatened, stating, "He signed that constitution under absolute compulsion."
The constitution was never ratified by the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature. It replaced the king's absolute veto with a requirement for a two-thirds majority in the legislature to override it. It also took away the king's power to act without the consent of his cabinet and gave the legislature the power to dismiss the cabinet instead of the king. The cabinet was allowed to vote in the legislature, but the king could no longer appoint legislators to any other government post.
The Bayonet Constitution also had significant impacts on the voting rights of the Hawaiian population. It required an income of $600 or taxable property of $3000 to vote for or serve in the upper house, excluding about two-thirds of the Hawaiian population, disproportionately affecting Native Hawaiians and Asians. At the same time, it granted suffrage to white non-citizens who met the income and landownership requirements. This transfer of power enabled the domination of the legislature by wealthy, anti-monarchy elites and facilitated the cession of Pearl Harbor to the United States, tying Hawaii's sugar economy closer to that of the US.
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It was never ratified in the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature
The Bayonet Constitution, also known as the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was a legal document drafted by anti-monarchists to diminish the authority of the absolute monarchy and transfer power to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian people. On June 30, 1887, King Kalākaua was compelled to sign the document or face deposition by an armed militia group known as the Honolulu Rifles, who were secretly affiliated with the Hawaiian League's military arm.
Despite the king's acquiescence, the Bayonet Constitution was never ratified by the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature. This is because the constitution was imposed during a period when the Legislature was out of session, highlighting the undemocratic nature of its imposition. The constitution's lack of legislative ratification underscores the illegitimate and coercive circumstances surrounding its adoption.
The Bayonet Constitution's failure to obtain legislative ratification had significant implications. Firstly, it underscored the unconstitutional nature of the document, as King Kalākaua lacked the authority to promulgate a new constitution without the approval of the Legislative Assembly. Secondly, the lack of ratification fueled efforts to restore the monarchy's power and authority. A committee of Native Hawaiians met with the king to discuss dismantling the constitution, and Queen Liliuokalani, the king's sister and heir, affirmed that he had signed it under duress and the threat of violence.
The Bayonet Constitution's disenfranchisement of Native Hawaiians further exacerbated tensions. The document imposed income and literacy requirements that effectively barred the majority of Native Hawaiians from voting while granting suffrage to white non-citizens who met specific income and landownership criteria. This transfer of power to wealthy, anti-monarchy elites and the disenfranchisement of natives were central factors in the constitution's contentious nature.
In summary, the Bayonet Constitution's lack of ratification in the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature highlights the undemocratic and coercive circumstances surrounding its imposition. It fueled efforts to restore the monarchy's power, exacerbated tensions over the disenfranchisement of Native Hawaiians, and underscored the unconstitutional nature of the document's adoption. The failure to obtain legislative ratification is a significant aspect of the contentious history surrounding the Bayonet Constitution and the ultimate downfall of the Hawaiian monarchy.
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It allowed non-citizens to vote
The Bayonet Constitution, also known as the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was a legal document that stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of its authority and empowered the legislature and cabinet of the government. It was signed by King Kalākaua on 30 June 1887 after an armed militia, the Honolulu Rifles, and politicians demanded that he dismiss his cabinet.
The Bayonet Constitution allowed non-citizens to vote. Specifically, it allowed wealthy resident aliens, who were generally American or European, to vote. This was a significant shift in voting rights, as it granted suffrage to those who were not citizens of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This group of people tended to be white, and the Constitution was seen as facilitating the domination of the legislature by wealthy, anti-monarchy elites.
The Bayonet Constitution also disenfranchised many Native Hawaiians through income and literacy requirements, as well as landownership requirements. Voter eligibility was tied to English literacy and proficiency standards, as well as holding property that met taxable property standards. These requirements excluded the majority of Native Hawaiians from voting, as they did not meet the income, literacy, or landownership thresholds.
The Constitution was part of a broader movement to gain control of the Hawaiian Kingdom and eventually annex Hawaii to the United States. The transfer of voting rights to non-citizens was a key step in this process, as it shifted political power away from Native Hawaiians and towards foreign residents, particularly those with economic influence.
The Bayonet Constitution was never ratified in the Hawaiian Kingdom's legislature and was opposed by many, including Queen Liliuokalani, who asserted that the King had signed it under duress and that his life had been threatened. She and others sought to restore the King's power and proposed a new constitution to restore absolute monarchy. However, the Bayonet Constitution marked a significant shift in the political landscape of Hawaii and set the stage for further changes and eventual annexation by the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bayonet Constitution was signed on June 30, 1887.
King Kalākaua of Hawaii signed the Bayonet Constitution under threat of violence and being deposed.
The Bayonet Constitution was a legal document that stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of its authority, transferring power to a coalition of American, European, and native Hawaiian elites.
The Bayonet Constitution severely limited the power of the Hawaiian king, giving more power to the legislature and cabinet of the government. It also disenfranchised many Native Hawaiians through income and literacy requirements, while granting suffrage to white non-citizens who met certain requirements.
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