Emmy - Timeline by S119-Emmanuelle Poe

Reciprocity Treaty (1875)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:09:03 UTC

The U.S and Hawaiian Kingdom signed this treaty that allowed Hawaiian sugar to be imported into the U.S without tariffs. This encouraged an economic relationship between these nations and increased America's influence on Hawaii.

Bayonet Constitution (1887)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:11:27 UTC

The Bayonet Constitution was signed by King Kalakaua and drafted by American and European businessmen and lawyers. It removed a majority of the kings power and shifted government control to a foreign legislature. The constitution imposed voting requirements that limited many native Hawaiians from voting too.

US gains rights to Pearl Harbor (1887)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:14:24 UTC

Hawaii granted the US rights to Pearl Harbor as a naval base, increasing American presence in Hawaii as a military force. Americans now had more reason to expand into the islands of Hawaii.

King Kalakaua's Death (1891)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:16:12 UTC

King Kalakaua died, leading to his sister, Lilu'uokalani becoming the queen of Hawaii. She aimed to restore power to the Hawaiian monarchy and undo the Bayonet Constitution's restrictions.

Queen Lili'uokalani Proposes a New Constitution (1893)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:19:25 UTC

Queen Lili'uokalani announces her plans to draft a new constitution that would restore the Hawaiian monarchy's power and expand Native Hawaiian's voting rights. Foreign businessmen opposed this and saw her actions as threatening their control over Hawaii.

The Establishment of the Committee of Safety (1893)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:21:36 UTC

American and European businessmen responded to Lili'uokalani's actions by forming this Committee. They were led by Lorrin A. Thurston and they planned to overthrow the queen and establish an American government in Hawaii.

US Marines Land in Honolulu (1893)

1192500075 — 2025-02-24 20:23:46 UTC

After the Committee of Safety requested so, U.S Minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens ordered the USS Boston Marines to land in Honolulu. Their presence intimidated Hawaiian government and helped ensure the coup's success, even though they claimed to only be protecting American lives and property.

Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani (1893)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 07:52:38 UTC

The queen was overthrown on January 17, 1893. The committee of safety established a provisional government, abolishing the monarchy in the process. The queen surrounded in fear of bloodshed, while Stanford B. Dole became president of the provisional government.

President Harrison Attempts Annexation (1893)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 07:54:22 UTC

The president signs a treaty to annex Hawaii but Grover Cleveland takes office and withdraws this treaty. This showed how annexation was already American expansionists priority.

President Cleveland and the Blount Report (1893/1894)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 07:56:39 UTC

President Cleveland sends James Blount to Hawaii to assess what was happening. The Blount Report confirmed that the US had carried out the illegal overthrow. Cleveland called for the Queen's reinstatement, but the provisional government refused, leading him to abandon further efforts.

Queen Liliuokalani is Arrested and Trailed (1895)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 07:58:33 UTC

The Queen was arrested after royalist supporters attempted to restore her to the thrown. She was accused of conspiring against the provisional government and imprisoned in Iolani palace. She was forced to sign an abdication and remained in house arrest for a few more months.

The Republic of Hawaii is Established (1894)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 08:01:23 UTC

The provisional government declared Hawaii an independent republic on July 4, 1894. Sanford B. Dole became the president which lead to a new push for annexation from the government.

President McKinley and Annexation Debate (1897-1898)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 08:03:26 UTC

After taking office in 1997, President McKinley pushed for Hawaii's annexation. Native Hawaiians and anti imperialists opposed him but he argued that annexation was beneficial for U.S military purposes.

Spanish-American War and Annexation (1898)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 08:04:43 UTC

During the Spanish-American War in 1898, the US had more interest in Hawaii. They needed a secure Pacific naval base and this would benefit military operations. In July 1898, Hawaii was officially annexed by the US as a territory.

Hawaii becomes a US Territory (1900)

1192500075 — 2025-03-03 08:06:18 UTC

In 1900, Hawaii officially became a US territory. Under US rule, Native Hawaiians resisted annexation, and sovereignty efforts continued throughout the 20th century. Sanford B. Dole became the first governor and Hawaii now established a government.