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jan 17, 1893 - Kingdom of Hawaii overthrown

Description:

A coup by Hawaiian subjects, US citizens, and other foreigners that resulted in the deposition of Queen Liliuokalani. Though an independent nation, Hawaii had close ties with the US, with exemptions on tariff duties for sugar, the archipelago's main export. The sugar was produced by American-owned plantations that employed a combination of native Hawaiians, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos. Additionally, Hawaii allowed for the construction of a US naval base at Pearl Harbor. Conflict began brewing in the 1880s, with a group of mostly foreign rebels forming the Hawaiian Patriotic League. They drafted the Bayonet Constitution in 1887 and forced King Kalākaua to sign it, which greatly diminished his powers. In 1890, Kalākaua died, leaving his sister Liliuokalani to assume the throne. She planned to create a new constitution that strengthened the monarchy, leaving it more powerful than the legislature, where foreign businessmen held most of the power. On January 17, 1893, the rebels organized the Honolulu Rifles, consisting of 1500 men. One of them, John Good, wounded a policeman, and the Rifles began taking over buildings. They were assisted by US Government Minister John Stevens, who sent a company of Marines to Hawaii. Queen Liliuokalani and her supporters were placed under house arrest, and the Republic of Hawaii was declared by the Honolulu Rifles. President Grover Cleveland called for an investigation into the overthrow, where it was found that US military and diplomatic officials had abused their power. Stevens was fired and attempts were made to restore the monarchy, but the insurgent government refused. Meanwhile, a group of pro-annexation senators conducted their own report and acquitted Stevens of any wrongdoing. Cleveland was unable to continue negotiations as a result, and recognized the provisional government as the head of the country. The republic governed until 1898, when it was formally annexed by the US.

Added to timeline:

7 Apr 2019
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US History Timeline
An outline of major events from (mostly early) US history.
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Date:

jan 17, 1893
Now
~ 131 years ago
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