[Image description: A twitter thread by Celeste Noelani @runningnekkid
Never forget: January 17, 1893, in order to protect their financial interests, a group of businessmen overthrew Queen Lili’uokalani.
(photograph of same Queen)
Lili’uokalani was attempting to undo the so-called ‘Bayonet Constitution’, forced on her brother and predecessor, King Kalākaua.
Lili’uokalani sought to expand voting rights to her own citizens while restricting foreign residents (American businessmen) from voting.
In the constitution Kalākaua was forced to sign, voting rights were tied to land ownership. This heavily favored white plantation owners.
White plantation owners existed in Hawai’i because in 1848, “foreign advisors” convinced Kamehameha III to completely restructure land use.
The 1848 act, known as The Great Mahele, allowed foreign businessmen to buy Hawai’i land for the first time, displacing scores of Natives.
Lili’uokalani could not undo the Mehele. But she could try and assert more authority over her own country and give her people more power.
This was a HUGE problem for wealthy elites who relied on indentured servitude and a weakened government to remain wealthy.
So they began to meet, creating the “Committee of Safety” - safety meaning the protection of their assets.
Lili’uokalani found out about their plans to depose her sought a warrant for their arrest, which was refused.
The Committee made their move. U.S. minister to Hawaii John L. Stevens ordered a US military ship to land troops in Honolulu.
On Jan 16 1893, Lili’uokalani watched US troops march past ‘Iolani Palace with a rapid-fire Gatling gun ready to use against her country.
The next day (Jan 17), a policeman attempted to insepct a wagon on its way to the Committee’s headquarters. It was filled with ammunition.
The policeman was shot, and all hell broke loose. Within moments the Committee proclaimed themselves in charge, Lili’uokalani deposed.
U.S. minister to Hawaii John L. Stevens, who had ordered U.S. troops to land in Honolulu, immediately recognized the provisional government.
Lili’uokalani had troops devoted to her and to Hawai’i, but to avoid shedding the blood of her people, she acquiesced. She did NOT abdicate.
Believing in the institutions that had long recognized her Nation as sovereign, Lili’uokalani made an appeal to the U.S. government.
The sovereignty of Hawai’i had already been threatened once, after a British captain aimed canons at Honolulu in 1843.
But Britain did not back up its captain and the Kingdom was restored. Lili’uokalani believed the U.S. would react similarly.
Lili’uokalani believed that the U.S., “upon the facts being presented to it, undo the action of its representatives and reinstate me,”
This was a woman who *absolutely* believed in “the system” of international treaties. Who thought she would certainly be restored.
And for a moment, it looked as if she might be right. President Grover Cleveland dismissed Minister Stevens and ordered an investigation.
And when the investigation found that the monarchy was indeed illegally overthrown, there must have been a feeling of victory.
Yet all Cleveland did was “urge” for the monarchy to be restored. He refused to use U.S. military force to undo an illegal U.S. coup.
Supporters of the Sovereign Nation of Hawai’i attempted to retake the government, but failed. Lili’uokalani abdicated at last, under duress.
Imprisoned in her palace, Lili’uokalani watched as her Nation was annexed by the U.S. Her people, even further disenfranchised.
By the time she was released from house arrest and was able to appeal to the U.S. for restoration in person, it was too late.
As the Spanish-American war raged on, Hawai’i was determined too strategic for the United States to give up. Congress approved annexation.
Lili’uokalani lived the rest of her days as a private citizen, but we will forever remember her as our beloved Queen.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing and commenting. It means so much.]
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