Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom

Quick Facts: Who was Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom?

Subject:

Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom

Known for:

The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 by foreign interests and US influence.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in a coup d'état against Queen Liliʻuokalani that took place on January 17, 1893, on the island of Oahu. The coup was led by the Committee of Safety, composed of seven foreign-born permanent residents and six Hawaiian-born people in Honolulu. There was no Hawaiian army so the victorious Committee asked American minister John L. Stevens for U.S. Marines. He sent in Marines and sailors to protect the new government, and to ward off a Japanese invasion. The committee established the independent nation of the Republic of Hawaii (1894), but their ultimate goal was the annexation of the islands to the United States, which occurred in 1898.

Career & Major Achievements

The 1993 Apology Resolution by the U.S. Congress apologizes to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United States for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on January 17, 1893 with the participation of agents and citizens of the United States, and the deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination [...] and states that the Native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished to the United States their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people over their national lands, either through the Hawaiian Kingdom or through a plebiscite or referendum". Debates regarding the event play an important role in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. The Kamehameha dynasty was the reigning monarchy of the Hawaiian Kingdom, beginning with its founding by Kamehameha I in 1795, until the death of Kamehameha V in 1872 and Lunalilo in 1874. On July 6, 1844, US Secretary of State John C. Calhoun, on behalf of President John Tyler, formally recognized Hawaii's independence under the reign of Kamehameha III. As a result of the recognition of Hawaiian independence, the Hawaiian Kingdom entered into treaties with the major nations of the world and established over ninety legations and consulates in multiple seaports and cities.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The kingdom would continue until its overthrow in 1893 with the fall of the House of Kalākaua. Sugar had been a major export from Hawaii since Captain James Cook arrived in 1778. The first permanent plantation in the islands was on Kauai in 1835. William Hooper leased 980 acres (4 km2) of land from Kamehameha III and began growing sugar cane. Within thirty years there would be plantations on four of the main islands.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1778: 1778 Milestone — Sugar had been a major export from Hawaii since Captain James Cook arrived in 1778.
2. 1795: 1795 Milestone — The Kamehameha dynasty was the reigning monarchy of the Hawaiian Kingdom, beginning with its founding by Kamehameha I in 1795, until the death of Kamehameha V in 1872 and Lunalilo in 1874.
3. 1835: 1835 Milestone — The first permanent plantation in the islands was on Kauai in 1835.
4. 1844: 1844 Milestone — On July 6, 1844, US Secretary of State John C.
5. 1893: 1893 Milestone — The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in a coup d'état against Queen Liliʻuokalani that took place on January 17, 1893, on the island of Oahu.
6. 1894: 1894 Milestone — The committee established the independent nation of the Republic of Hawaii (1894), but their ultimate goal was the annexation of the islands to the United States, which occurred in 1898.
7. 1993: 1993 Milestone — The 1993 Apology Resolution by the U.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom

True or False: “The primary reason for the American involvement in the overthrow was to secure a permanent military base at Pearl Harbor.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While securing strategic locations like Pearl Harbor was vital, the immediate catalyst for the coup involved economic interests and political maneuvering by foreign-born residents.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Szent-Györgyi — Historical peer (Born in 1893) (1893): Pioneering Hungarian biochemist, Nobel laureate for Vitamin C and muscle research.
• Alexander Cunningham — Historical peer (Died in 1893) (1893): Pioneering British archaeologist and founder of the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Adolphe Sax — Historical peer (Died in 1894) (1894): Belgian inventor who created the saxophone and revolutionized wind instruments.
• Albert Facey — Historical peer (Born in 1894) (1894): Australian writer and World War I veteran, best known for 'A Fortunate Life'.
• Albert Luthuli — Historical peer (Born in 1898) (1898): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Alexander Calder — Historical peer (Born in 1898) (1898): Pioneering American sculptor celebrated for kinetic mobiles and monumental abstract forms.
• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Died in 1993) (1993): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Adam Ondra — Historical peer (Born in 1993) (1993): Czech professional rock climber, specializing in lead, bouldering, and competition.
• Ahilyabai Holkar — Historical peer (Died in 1795) (1795): Holkar Queen of Malwa, renowned for governance, culture, and charity in the Maratha Empire.
• Alessandro Cagliostro — Historical peer (Died in 1795) (1795): Italian occultist and self-styled magician, known for European court associations.

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