“Hawaii Monarchy Overthrown by America-Backed Businessmen”, is an article written by The Learning Network and published by the New York Times on January 17th, 2012. “Hawaii Monarchy Overthrown by America-Backed Businessmen” is organized chronologically, detailing the events of the overthrow of Hawaii. It begins by describing how the Europeans, ever since the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778, have attempted to alter the Hawaiians lifestyle. This struggle for power between the Europeans and Hawaiians reached a climax when a group of businessmen (known as the Hawaiian League) forced King Kalakaua to sign a new constitution, under the threat of violence, which revoked his power. This constitution, now known as the Bayonet Constitution, not only
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When King Kalakaua signed the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States in 1875, he allowed for Hawaiian goods, specifically sugar, to be sold to America, tax-free. King Kalakaua, nicknamed the Merrie Monarch, due to his deep love for Hawaii and it’s people, only wanted the best for Hawaii, and those living in the nation. This treaty was a blessing for Hawaii’s sugar plantation owners, many of which were Americans, foreign Caucasians, or decedents of white missionaries, as it allowed for their sugar to establish a strong foothold in America’s vast and growing market. As expected, these sugar plantation owners became incredibly wealthy. However, as their wealth accumulated, they began to take a vested interest in Hawaii’s political affairs. They began attempting to influence and control Hawaii’s government, specifically the actions of King Kalakaua. They were ungrateful for the king’s actions, gifting them a market in America, and attempted to take advantage of and control him.
In 1886, the United States saw a need for a fueling station for American ships in the Pacific. They demanded that Hawaii, in return for renewing the Reciprocity Treaty, grant them the rights to build a naval base in Hawaii. King Kalakaua refused. He was unwilling to give up Hawaii’s independence, even if it meant just surrendering Pearl Harbor. Hawaii was Hawaii, and no other country could change that. Furthermore, the king understood that the Reciprocity Treaty did not benefit him or any Hawaiians, but rather Americans and the Caucasian sugar plant owners, many of whom were not even
When King Kalakaua signed the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States in 1875, he allowed for Hawaiian goods, specifically sugar, to be sold to America, tax-free. King Kalakaua, nicknamed the Merrie Monarch, due to his deep love for Hawaii and it’s people, only wanted the best for Hawaii, and those living in the nation. This treaty was a blessing for Hawaii’s sugar plantation owners, many of which were Americans, foreign Caucasians, or decedents of white missionaries, as it allowed for their sugar to establish a strong foothold in America’s vast and growing market. As expected, these sugar plantation owners became incredibly wealthy. However, as their wealth accumulated, they began to take a vested interest in Hawaii’s political affairs. They began attempting to influence and control Hawaii’s government, specifically the actions of King Kalakaua. They were ungrateful for the king’s actions, gifting them a market in America, and attempted to take advantage of and control him.
In 1886, the United States saw a need for a fueling station for American ships in the Pacific. They demanded that Hawaii, in return for renewing the Reciprocity Treaty, grant them the rights to build a naval base in Hawaii. King Kalakaua refused. He was unwilling to give up Hawaii’s independence, even if it meant just surrendering Pearl Harbor. Hawaii was Hawaii, and no other country could change that. Furthermore, the king understood that the Reciprocity Treaty did not benefit him or any Hawaiians, but rather Americans and the Caucasian sugar plant owners, many of whom were not even