Foreigners outshine the Queen
The overthrow of the Monarchy
Thesis
In January 17, 1893 Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrow with the help of Pres. Harrison, Pres. Cleveland and Minister John Stevens.
President Benjamin Harrison
In 1893 the last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani was overthrown. Soon after, President Benjamin Harrison became a president during Kalakau’s reign. King Kalakaua signed a reciprocity treaty with the United States making it possible for sugar to be sold to the U.S. The U.S wanted more and they want to overthrow Hawaiian monarchy making American to be more powerful by replacing the cabinet with members of the businessmen’s party, this became known as the Bayonet Constitution. King Kalakaua was forced to sign this constitution. In 1887, the Hawaiians wanted the reciprocity treaty that has the same condition as the last time, but the U.S disagreed and made a condition. The U.S said that they would only renew the treaty if the Pearl Harbor was given to them. Kalakau didn’t want to agree at first, but he was forced to sign a new treaty giving power to cabinet. The new cabinet signs the treaty with the United States and Pearl Harbor was no longer owned by Hawaii. President Benjamin Harrison introduced the Treaty of Annexation in the Senate, 2/3 majority needed for approval of a treaty. President Benjamin Harrison signed a treaty of annexation with the new government. However, before the senate could ratify it, Cleveland was elected.
President Grover Cleveland
President Grover Cleveland replaced Harrison as president and he withdrew the treaty. Not everyone was favored of annexing Hawaii. However, President Grover Cleveland, anti-imperialist told to native Hawaiian's protests against the overthrow. In his presidency, Cleveland appointed James Blount as a special investigator to investigate the events in the Hawaiian Islands. In his way of searching, Blount found out that Minister Stevens ordered the American flag to be lowered from Hawaiian government. Blount also found out that he ordered Queen Lili’uokalani be restored to power, but Stanford Dole refuse to turn over power. Dole became successful of making Hawaii a republic. Soon, President Grover Cleveland return the kingdom to the queen. However, it didn't happen because the only way to give back the throne is to kill the American and President Grover Cleveland did nothing. President Cleveland views the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom to be an Act of War and this act led to congress to declare war, and eventually he was replaced.
Minister John L. Stevens
John L. Stevens was assigned to the Hawaii and become a representative in the U.S. He became a political representative. John L. Steven was racist to Hawaiian, he viewed them as childlike, unfit to role and a semi-babaric. He also supports the committee of safety regarding the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. John L. Steven was asked if he will support the Coup d tat and he didn’t give a thought to it and just said yes. The Committee of Safty delivered a letter to Minister Steven requesting him to land troops from the Boston. John L. Steven gave orders for marines to go off the USS Boston and from there quarters they marched to downtown Honolulu. John L. Steven didn’t get a permission and he just recognized the new government and proclaimed Hawaii a US protectoral. He also threaten the queen and ask for her to surrender, but she never did surrender to the provisional government.