USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

[SOURCES]
Why was Queen Liliuokalani removed from power in Hawaii?

(A) ** took away political power from white plantation owners

(B) gave political power to white plantaion owners

(C) betrayed her people

(D) she died and her brother, Kalakaua, took over

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Early in 1895, after loyalist Robert Wilcox led a failed insurrection aimed at restoring Liliuokalani to the throne, the queen was placed under house arrest and charged with treason. She agreed to sign a formal abdication in late January in exchange for the pardon of the supporters who had led the revolt.

Concept note-2: -Pro-American business interests had overthrown the Queen when she rejected constitutional limits on her powers. The new government realized that Hawaii was too small and militarily weak to survive in a world of aggressive imperialism, especially on the part of Japan. It was eager for American annexation.

Concept note-3: -U.S. diplomat John Stevens sent U.S. Marines to Oahu to protect American interests. Liliʻuokalani ordered her royal guard to surrender, and the coup leaders declared the monarchy abolished, established martial law, and hoisted the American flag over the palace.

Concept note-4: -She stated that her throne had been taken illegally, and that any U.S. efforts to annex Hawaii without the due process of law would be unacceptable. As a territory, Hawaii had little power in the U.S. government, holding only one, non-voting representative in the House of Representatives.