Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawai’i Part 2: Paradise Lost | 12
Step into the world of royal intrigue and political struggle with the "Even The Royals" podcast, featuring hosts Aricia Skidmore-Williams and Brooke Siffrinn as they unveil the turbulent reign of Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii in their latest episode. Discover how the island kingdom's last sovereign monarch faced the overwhelming forces of political maneuvering and American sovereignty that eventually led to its annexation.
The story of Queen Liliʻuokalani is one marked by loss and resistance, where personal tragedy intertwines with the near-impossible battle to maintain control over her nation. This episode dives deep into the events that precipitated the fall of a queen and the end of an independent Hawaii. Witness the conflict through the eyes of a queen who made the ultimate sacrifice in a desperate bid to shield her people, only to see her efforts undone by the ever-expanding reach of American interests.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 11, 2024 episode of the Even The Royals
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Liliʻu becomes Queen of Hawaii, suffers tragic losses
Queen Liliʻuokalani's ascent to the throne of Hawaii led her into a fervent struggle against political obstruction and American intervention, ultimately culminating in the loss of Hawaiian independence. Her endeavors to challenge and revise constitutional constraints were systematically undermined by both internal cabinet resistance and American businessmen, who were determined to capitalize on the islands' resources. This steadfast external pressure orchestrated her downfall, as U.S. forces, acting on behalf of those interests, facilitated a pivotal coup. Despite her peaceful surrender in hope of redress from the American government, no assistance came. In a harsh twist, Liliʻu was then imprisoned, tried, and coerced into abdicating her throne, solely to protect her loyal followers. The painful journey concluded with the annexation of Hawaii by the United States, extinguishing the Hawaiian hope for sovereignty and irreversibly altering the nation's trajectory.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898 followed a period of political turmoil and the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. The U.S. government, influenced by American business interests in Hawaii, played a significant role in the events leading to annexation. The annexation was controversial and faced opposition from some Hawaiians who sought to maintain the islands' independence. The formal annexation of Hawaii as a U.S. territory was a pivotal moment in the history of both Hawaii and U.S. expansionism in the Pacific.
- The American intervention in Hawaii was primarily driven by the economic interests of American businessmen who sought to capitalize on Hawaii's resources, particularly its lucrative sugar industry. These businessmen, along with U.S. government officials, viewed Hawaii as strategically important for expanding American influence in the Pacific region. The desire to secure economic and strategic advantages led to efforts to undermine Queen Liliʻuokalani's rule and ultimately facilitate the annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
- The pivotal coup in Hawaii was orchestrated by a group of American businessmen and sugar planters who were dissatisfied with Queen Liliʻuokalani's attempts to strengthen the monarchy's power. They formed the Committee of Safety and received support from the U.S. Minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens. On January 17, 1893, the Committee of Safety staged the coup, with the backing of U.S. Marines from the USS Boston, leading to the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
- After Queen Liliʻuokalani's abdication and imprisonment, Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898. This marked the end of Hawaiian independence and the beginning of a new chapter under American rule. The annexation was a significant turning point in Hawaiian history, leading to the eventual statehood of Hawaii in 1959. Queen Liliʻuokalani's legacy as the last reigning monarch of Hawaii remains a poignant symbol of the islands' complex history.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Liliʻu becomes Queen of Hawaii, suffers tragic losses
The history of Queen Liliʻuokalani's reign over Hawaii is a complex tale of political struggle, interference by American interests, and the loss of a nation's sovereignty.
Liliʻu faces political opposition and pushes for a new constitution
Upon her brother's death, Liliʻuokalani became queen and immediately faced the challenges of leading under the "Bayonet Constitution," which limited her power and disenfranchised native Hawaiians. Despite being forced to swear an oath to uphold this constitution, Liliʻu chose a new cabinet and endeavored to draft a new constitution that would restore voting power to native Hawaiians and strengthen the monarchy.
Constitutional efforts blocked by cabinet and American advisors
Liliʻu's efforts, however, were thwarted by her own cabinet—who were influenced by American business interests—and by the American minister to Hawaii, who had connections to the sugar barons. Her bid to assert authority and create a new cabinet was blocked by the legislature. The queen, in her desperation for change, contemplated using a royal fiat to push her constitution through without legislative support, despite warnings of sedition.
American business interests convince U.S. to help overthrow Liliʻu
Queen Liliʻu faced the ultimate betrayal when American troops, summoned not by official government order but by the sugar barons and local U.S. representatives, camped outside her government building. The sugar barons, with military backing, ousted Liliʻu and established a provisional government under Sanford Dole.
An American-backed coup overthrows Queen Liliʻu
Liliʻu appeals unsuccessfully to the U.S. to be restored as Queen
Choosing not to initiate a violent conflict, Liliʻu surrendered, writing a letter to yield "to the superior force of the United States of America," seeking justice from the U.S. government. Despite President Cleveland acknowledging the illegality of the coup, Liliʻu's appeals for reinstatement went unanswered. Against this backdrop, her supporters attempted to fight back, but the rebellion failed, leading to arrests ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Liliʻu becomes Queen of Hawaii, suffers tragic losses
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The "Bayonet Constitution" was a nickname given to the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was named as such because it was forced upon King Kalākaua at gunpoint by a group of Hawaiian and foreign individuals, leading to the limitation of the monarch's powers and the disenfranchisement of many native Hawaiians. This constitution favored the interests of foreign businessmen, particularly those involved in the sugar industry, over the rights of the native population. The Bayonet Constitution significantly weakened the monarchy and paved the way for increased foreign influence in Hawaiian politics.
- A royal fiat is an official decree or order issued by a monarch without the need for legislative approval. It is a unilateral decision made by the ruler to enact a law or policy. In the context of Queen Liliʻuokalani's situation, she considered using a royal fiat to implement her proposed new constitution without the support of the legislature. This action would have allowed her to bypass the usual legal processes and directly impose the changes she desired.
- Sugar barons were powerful individuals in Hawaii's history who controlled the sugar industry and held significant influence over the economy and politics of the region. They were typically wealthy plantation owners who profited from the production and export of sugar, often at the expense of native Hawaiians and the monarchy. Their interests played a crucial role in shaping events such as the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
- Sanford Dole was a Hawaii-born lawyer and jurist who played a significant role in the political history of Hawaii, advocating for the westernization of Hawaiian government and culture. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Dole served as the President of the Republic of Hawaii before the territory was annexed by the United States.
- President Cleveland, in the context of Queen Liliʻuokalani's story, is a reference to Grover Cleveland, who was the President of the United States during the events surrounding the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. President Cleveland expressed disapproval of the actions taken against Queen Liliʻuokalani and acknowledged the illegality of the coup that led to her overthrow. Despite his stance, he did not take action to restore her to power.
- President McKinley's bill referred to the Newlands Resolution, which was a joint resolution passed by the United States Congress in 1898. This ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
