Stuff You Missed in History Class Lili'uokalani: Who was the Last Queen of Hawaii?
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Jul 12, 2010 Discover the captivating story of Lili'uokalani, Hawaii's last queen. Learn how Western contact transformed Hawaiian life and the impact of sugar trade on native power. Delve into the forced Bayonet Constitution that disenfranchised natives and the events leading to the queen's surrender amid a coup. Explore her efforts to protect Hawaiian interests, her subsequent arrest, and the rise of opposition against U.S. annexation. Finally, see how Lili'uokalani's legacy inspired modern movements for Hawaiian sovereignty.
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The Bayonet Constitution Was Forced On The King
- In 1889 the Honolulu Rifles forced King Kalakaua to accept the Bayonet Constitution at gunpoint.
- The constitution stripped royal power and imposed property and income voting requirements that disenfranchised most native Hawaiians.
Liliʻuokalani: Educated, Loyal, Resolute
- Liliʻuokalani combined Western education with deep allegiance to Hawaiian culture and resisted business pressures.
- Her past actions, like closing ports during a smallpox outbreak, showed she prioritized native welfare over business interests.
Bloodless Coup With U.S. Troops Present
- In January 1893 four boats of U.S. Marines landed in Honolulu and 162 troops marched toward the palace.
- Liliʻuokalani surrendered at gunpoint and a provisional government of white sugar growers took control.