Asked by Makayla

How did American Businessmen gain power in the Hawaiian government?

They were appointed by the king who gave them power.
They forced the king to sign a new constitution that gave them more power.
They convinced the people to elect them to office.
They created a competing government that eventually overthrew the king.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
They forced the king to sign a new constitution that gave them more power.

In 1887 American and European businessmen and militia forced King Kalākaua to accept the "Bayonet Constitution," which sharply reduced the monarch’s authority and shifted political power and voting qualifications to favor wealthy (mostly foreign) residents.