Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii believed that the annexation of Hawaii by the United States was illegal for several reasons, rooted in her strong sense of sovereignty, the manner in which the annexation was carried out, and the circumstances surrounding the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. Here are several examples of her reasoning:
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Overthrow of the Monarchy: Liliʻuokalani's reign was interrupted by a coup d'état in 1893, when a group of American and European business interests, with the support of the U.S. government, overthrew her government. She argued that this coup was illegal and that her rightful government had been removed without her consent or the consent of the Hawaiian people.
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Lack of Consent from Native Hawaiians: Liliʻuokalani strongly believed that the annexation lacked the support of the Hawaiian people. She pointed out that the majority of Native Hawaiians opposed the annexation. The 1897 petition against annexation, which garnered over 21,000 signatures, illustrated the strong resistance from her people and showcased the absence of legitimate consent for such a drastic change in governance.
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Violation of Treaties: The Queen argued that the annexation violated existing treaties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the United States. One significant treaty was the 1887 Bayonet Constitution, which unfairly diminished the power of the monarchy but still recognized Hawaii as a sovereign nation. Liliʻuokalani felt that treaties should be upheld, and the annexation contradicted these agreements.
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Racial and Political Discrimination: The annexation was largely driven by a desire from predominantly white, foreign interests to gain political dominance over the Hawaiian Islands. Liliʻuokalani believed this reflected colonialism and racially motivated actions that disrespected the sovereignty of Native Hawaiians. She viewed the annexation as an extension of imperialism and a denial of her people's rights.
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Disregard for Hawaiian Laws: Liliʻuokalani maintained that the annexation process disregarded Hawaiian laws and the lawful authority of the Hawaiian government. The actions taken by the U.S. were often seen as a violation of the principles of international law that respect the self-determination of nations.
Liliʻuokalani's resistance to the annexation of Hawaii is a significant part of her legacy, as she fought to preserve the rights, culture, and sovereignty of her people in the face of overwhelming external pressures.