Next Stop, “Paradise"
When the White Men Came
Thesis
President Benjamin Harrison
President Benjamin Harrison was the president during the Reign of King Kalaukaua. President Benjamin Harrison introduced the treaty for Hawaii’s annexation in 1897 to the Senate but was blocked when the Hawaiian Patriotic League petitioned the treaty. He was apart of the Reciprocity Treaty which was a treaty to have no taxes on sugar imported to the United States. But then in 1887, there was a second part to the Reciprocity Treaty where if the U.S./Cabinet renewed the treaty, the Hawaiian Government has to give Pearl Harbor as territory to the United States. Though King Kalaukaua said no, he was eventually forced into signing the Treaty and also gave the cabinet (Committee of Safety) power which was the Bayonet Constitution. Pearl Harbor then was given to the United States and was no longer Hawaii’s Territory.
Minister John L. Stevens
U.S. Minister John L Stevens was a supporter of the Overthrow of Hawaii and he represents the U.S. on all matters in Hawaii including Political representation. He thinks that Hawaiians are childlike and are unfit to rule a Government. He was also semi-barbaric which means he was half barbarous or uncivilized. Minister Stevens supported everything about the Committee of Safety. The Committee of Safety talks to Minister John L. Stevens about if he will support the Coup De Tat which is the sudden overthrow and illegal seizure of a government. Minister Stevens then says yes. He then gives orders for U.S. Marines to disembark off ships to march to downtown Honolulu and threatened Queen Liliuokalani to surrender her throne to the U.S.
President Grover Cleveland
President Grover Cleveland was the President during the reign of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. When he found out about that the Committee of Safety was trying to overthrow the Hawaiian Government, he said that it was an “act of war”. So he sends Secretary James Blount to Hawaii to survey the whole island. Secretary Blount then writes a 1400 word report that states that the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy was ILLEGAL and IMORAL. President Cleveland then tells the American Rifle League and supporters of the Overthrow to lower the American Flag and return the kingdom to the Queen. But the American Rifle League opposed and thought of war. But President Cleveland didn’t want war and did nothing.
Historical Significance
Is Hawai'i legally and lawfully a state of the union?
Supplemental Information
Raising of the American Flag at Iolani Palace.
Hawaiian Monachy's Marching Band wasnt in favor of annexation and supported the Hawaiian Monarchy.
Lowering of the Hawaiian flag at Iolani Palace when Hawaii got Annexed.
Cite
"The Overthrow of the Monarchy." The Overthrow of the Monarchy. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2015. <http://www.hawaii-nation.org/soa.html>.
"Hawaiian Annexation." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2015. <http://www.ushistory.org/us/44b.asp>.
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