The Illegal Hawaiian Government
American Leaders who supported the provisional government
Thesis
Minister John L. Stevens
John Leavitt Stevens was called upon by the Committee of Safety to bring the U.S. Marines to the Hawaiian Islands. John Leavitt Stevens was the U.S. State Department’s Minister. He had much authority is the U.S. The U.S. Marines were told to serve as protectors of the American people living in Hawaii. He decided the wish on the U.S. government on Hawaii. He was the one the U.S.S Boston on Honolulu. Although, it disallowed the people of Hawaii to protect themselves because the U.S. Marines would stop the Hawaiians every time an American came in conflict with an American. John Leavitt Stevens said the Hawaiian race is unfit to rule their own selves, are semi barbaric, and very much child like. He disliked the Hawaiian race alike to the Committee of Safety. He did this even though he did not have authority to. When the overthrow happens his marines make Queen Liliokalani surrender to the U.S. After the overthrow, a provisional government was formed over Hawaii including Stevens.
President William McKinley
President William McKinley had a great impact of the annexation of Hawaii. He favored the idea of Hawaii becoming U.S. territory. He was a complete imperialist. Although the president before him was opposing annexation, McKinley wanted annexation. He gained much support for the Americans because much of the American population in Hawaii was in favor of it. He was in favor of annexation because at the time the U.S. was participating in the Spanish – American War. Hawaii, because of its location, was a strategic location for restocking goods and refueling their oil. President William McKinley proposed an annexation treaty, but sadly did not get two of three votes in the senate. Refusing the give up, a congressional joint resolution was created. During this event the vote passes to annex Hawaii to the U.S. However, the congressional joint resolution, even though passes, should not allow Hawaii to be annexed. Despite the rules, Hawaii becomes annexed regardless of how unlegit and cruel it was.
President Grover Cleveland
President Grover Cleveland had a slight affect to the annexation of Hawaii to the U.S. He was an anti – imperialist. President Grover Cleveland was siding with the Hawaiians. He initially did not want Hawaii to be overthrown. He sends Secretary Blount to investigate the U.S. enactments on Hawaii. Secretary Blount says that the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom is illegal and immoral. Cleveland says that the overthrow is an “act of war.” Cleveland tells the Americans to lower all American flags and return the throne to its rightful owner, Queen Lilokalani. When President Grover Cleveland tell the Americans to return the throne, all the over throwers refuse and don’t give the Queen her rightful spot. After all most of the Americans agreed with Stanford B. Dole that Hawaii should be annexed and become America’s land. After the overthrow Cleveland does nothing to give the Hawaiian their right to their land. Even though he was on the opposing side, he does nothing and Hawaii becomes annexed.
Significance of the Overthrow
How legit and lawful was the annexation of Hawaii to the U.S.?
Supplemental Information
Queen Liliokalani
Committee of Safety
U.S Troops at Iolani Palace
Citations
"Committee of Safety (Hawaii)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
"Opposition to the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
"ʻIolani Palace." Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.