The Overthrow
Dear Editor,
I full hardheartedly support Queen Liliuokalani's proposed constitution in restoring civil power back into the hands of the Native Hawaiians. During the decades of the 1870's and 1880s the power distribution was dominated by non natives. These foreigners hoped to increase their fortunes by exploiting Hawaii’s natural resources, such as the high demand for sugar. When the leaders of the Islands appeared ready to oppose the Americans and return the authority back to the people of Hawaii. The Outsiders began to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. It was in this oppressed of times when Queen Lili‘uokalani in January 1893, stood against the outsiders and supported her subjects, the Native Hawaiians. Her goal was to restore actual rule of the kingdom to the monarchy, and return important rights to all the citizens of Hawai‘i. In the end the queen was opposed by the legislature. The foreigners basically took over the government of Hawaii so it is fair for Queen Liliuokalani to demand a fraction of those rights to be placed upon those of actual Native Hawaiian descent.
My feelings regarding John L, Stevens can be described as bitter and harsh. It was important for him to have conquered Hawaii so that it could be as it is now; one of the states within the United States. But that does not justify his actions. Stevens offered the assistance of the warship U.S.S. Boston to the committee, which had just returned to Honolulu from Hilo. This ship carried 162 trained sailors called “blue-jackets,”. It was Steven’s request to march through the streets of Honolulu in a show of force and support for the Committee of Safety. After forcing the Hawaiian’s to surrender their lifestyle and government, he was then recognized by many and praised by few for his actions to overthrow a peaceful government.
I am saddened that Queen Lili‘uokalani would yield to the Committee of Safety and the Provisional Government. I had hoped that she would not falter or be moved by any boulder that crossed her path. But I am proud that in those circumstances she was not naive or ignorant enough to stand to her beliefs. In an attempt to preserve peace, Queen Lili‘uokalani withdrew her request for a new constitution that would restore Hawaiians' right to self-government. Though the time had run out, the next day she witnessed the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. John L. Stevens, Lorrin Thurston, and the Committee of Safety had won with force. The queen ultimately had no choice but to yield, though she did so only under protest. Queen Lili‘uokalani did what she had to do and with that reason alone, I am neither saddened or joyous for her actions of surrender.
Sincerely Shabd
Cites used-
http://www.hawaiihistory.org/
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/liliuokalani/hawaii/hawaii.html
http://ulukau.org/
http://libweb.hawaii.edu/digicoll/annexation/pictures.html
Pictures-
https://jenniferlymburner.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/hi_annexation.jpg
http://hawaiipacificnews.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Liliuokalani-39552-1-402.jpg
http://www.hawaiihistory.org/upload%5Cwebsite%5Cimages_m/img417.jpg
I full hardheartedly support Queen Liliuokalani's proposed constitution in restoring civil power back into the hands of the Native Hawaiians. During the decades of the 1870's and 1880s the power distribution was dominated by non natives. These foreigners hoped to increase their fortunes by exploiting Hawaii’s natural resources, such as the high demand for sugar. When the leaders of the Islands appeared ready to oppose the Americans and return the authority back to the people of Hawaii. The Outsiders began to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. It was in this oppressed of times when Queen Lili‘uokalani in January 1893, stood against the outsiders and supported her subjects, the Native Hawaiians. Her goal was to restore actual rule of the kingdom to the monarchy, and return important rights to all the citizens of Hawai‘i. In the end the queen was opposed by the legislature. The foreigners basically took over the government of Hawaii so it is fair for Queen Liliuokalani to demand a fraction of those rights to be placed upon those of actual Native Hawaiian descent.
My feelings regarding John L, Stevens can be described as bitter and harsh. It was important for him to have conquered Hawaii so that it could be as it is now; one of the states within the United States. But that does not justify his actions. Stevens offered the assistance of the warship U.S.S. Boston to the committee, which had just returned to Honolulu from Hilo. This ship carried 162 trained sailors called “blue-jackets,”. It was Steven’s request to march through the streets of Honolulu in a show of force and support for the Committee of Safety. After forcing the Hawaiian’s to surrender their lifestyle and government, he was then recognized by many and praised by few for his actions to overthrow a peaceful government.
I am saddened that Queen Lili‘uokalani would yield to the Committee of Safety and the Provisional Government. I had hoped that she would not falter or be moved by any boulder that crossed her path. But I am proud that in those circumstances she was not naive or ignorant enough to stand to her beliefs. In an attempt to preserve peace, Queen Lili‘uokalani withdrew her request for a new constitution that would restore Hawaiians' right to self-government. Though the time had run out, the next day she witnessed the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. John L. Stevens, Lorrin Thurston, and the Committee of Safety had won with force. The queen ultimately had no choice but to yield, though she did so only under protest. Queen Lili‘uokalani did what she had to do and with that reason alone, I am neither saddened or joyous for her actions of surrender.
Sincerely Shabd
Cites used-
http://www.hawaiihistory.org/
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/liliuokalani/hawaii/hawaii.html
http://ulukau.org/
http://libweb.hawaii.edu/digicoll/annexation/pictures.html
Pictures-
https://jenniferlymburner.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/hi_annexation.jpg
http://hawaiipacificnews.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Liliuokalani-39552-1-402.jpg
http://www.hawaiihistory.org/upload%5Cwebsite%5Cimages_m/img417.jpg