The sugar plantation owners, who formed the Committee of Safety, overthrew Queen Liliuokalani primarily due to their economic interests and desire for political power. In the late 19th century, Hawaii was a constitutional monarchy, and the Queen aimed to implement a new constitution to increase her power and restore authority to the monarchy. However, this new constitution threatened the interests of the American sugar plantation owners, as it would have limited their political influence and land ownership rights.
The sugar plantation owners, who controlled a significant portion of Hawaii's economy, were mostly of American or European descent and had significant influence over local politics. They formed an alliance with the American diplomatic representative and organized the Committee of Safety, which consisted of both American and European businessmen, to overthrow Queen Liliuokalani.
On January 17, 1893, the Committee of Safety staged a coup, assisted by a small group of U.S. Marines landed from the USS Boston, claiming it was necessary to protect American lives and property. They deposed Queen Liliuokalani and established the Provisional Government of Hawaii. Their aim was to annex Hawaii to the United States, as it would provide them with favorable economic conditions, such as reduced tariffs on sugar exports to mainland America.
Ultimately, the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani led to the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898, but it also sparked controversy both locally and internationally, leading to protests and debates about the legitimacy of the annexation and the impact on the indigenous population of Hawaii.
Why did sugar plantation owners overthrow Queen Liliuokalani?
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