The Untold Story of Queen Liliuokalani and the U.S.-Hawaii Treaty

What were Queen Liliuokalani's motivations for overturning the treaty between the U.S. and Hawaii?

A. To restore rights to Native Hawaiians and resist U.S. governmental interference

B. To benefit American and European settlers in Hawaii

C. To increase profits from the sugar trade

Answer:

Queen Liliuokalani sought to overturn the U.S.-Hawaii treaty to restore rights to Native Hawaiians, resist U.S. governmental interference, and redress economic imbalances caused by the sugar trade.

Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii wanted to overturn the treaty between the U.S. and Hawaii because she resented U.S. interference in Hawaii's government. The treaty led to a one-sided relationship that disadvantaged many Native Hawaiians while hugely benefiting American and European settlers, particularly those involved in the lucrative sugar industry. After her brother King Kalakaua was forced to adopt a constitution that disenfranchised many Native Hawaiians, Queen Liliuokalani sought to restore Native Hawaiian rights through a new constitution.

Sugar trade with the United States was a significant factor in this tension. The U.S. heavily taxed foreign sugar, creating financial hardships for Hawaiian sugar producers. However, these levies would be waived if Hawaii were to be annexed by the United States, thus benefiting American plantation owners.

Queen Liliuokalani's efforts to redress these injustices were met with resistance from many powerful interests who stood to lose from her proposed changes. In 1893, a group mainly comprised of American conspirators, fearing the loss of political power and profit, staged a revolt and forced the Queen to abdicate. Five years later, the United States formally annexed Hawaii.