You have 3 free guides left 😟
Unlock your guides7.3 Influence of Christian Missionaries
2 min read•july 24, 2024
arrived in Hawaii in 1820, bringing profound changes. Their arrival coincided with the overthrow of the , creating an openness to new ideas. They established mission stations, introduced , and translated the Bible into Hawaiian.
The missionaries' impact on Hawaiian society was far-reaching. They developed a written Hawaiian alphabet, promoted , and recorded Hawaiian legends. However, they also discouraged traditional practices like and native religious customs, leading to significant in Hawaiian life.
Arrival and Initial Reception of Christian Missionaries
Arrival of Christian missionaries
Top images from around the web for Arrival of Christian missionaries
Category:Christianity in Hawaii - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: HIRAM BINGHAM III, REDISCOVERING 'MACHU PICCHU' View original
Is this image relevant?
History of Hawaii/Missionaries Sugar Immigration - Wikibooks, open books for an open world View original
Is this image relevant?
Category:Christianity in Hawaii - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: HIRAM BINGHAM III, REDISCOVERING 'MACHU PICCHU' View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Arrival of Christian missionaries
Category:Christianity in Hawaii - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: HIRAM BINGHAM III, REDISCOVERING 'MACHU PICCHU' View original
Is this image relevant?
History of Hawaii/Missionaries Sugar Immigration - Wikibooks, open books for an open world View original
Is this image relevant?
Category:Christianity in Hawaii - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: HIRAM BINGHAM III, REDISCOVERING 'MACHU PICCHU' View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- First Christian missionaries landed in Hawaii in 1820 aboard the Thaddeus (American Protestant missionaries from New England)
- Missionaries motivated by Second Great Awakening sought to spread Christianity to non-Christian lands
- Arrival coincided with overthrow of kapu system creating societal openness to new ideas
- Some Hawaiians expressed curiosity about new religion while others remained skeptical or resistant
- Key figures spearheaded early missionary efforts (, )
Missionaries' role in Hawaii
- Established mission stations across Hawaiian islands served as hubs for religious and educational activities
- Introduced Western-style education teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic to Hawaiian children
- Translated Bible into Hawaiian language and created Hawaiian-language hymns
- Trained native Hawaiian missionaries to spread Christianity to other Polynesian islands
- Brought establishing clinics and hospitals
Impact on Hawaiian traditions
- Developed written Hawaiian alphabet and promoted literacy in Hawaiian language
- Introduced Western clothing styles and encouraged monogamous marriage
- Discouraged traditional hula, chants, and native Hawaiian religious practices
- Led to abandonment of (temples) and suppression of traditional healing methods
- Recorded Hawaiian legends, traditions, and documented Hawaiian history and genealogies
Missionaries and Hawaiian monarchy
- Initially supported by Hawaiian monarchy ( allowed missionaries to stay and teach)
- Queen Ka'ahumanu's conversion to Christianity bolstered
- Missionaries served as advisors to Hawaiian monarchs and helped draft constitution and laws
- Tensions arose with later monarchs (King Kalākaua's efforts to revive Hawaiian culture)
- resisted influence of missionary descendants
- Missionary descendants formed political party and participated in 1893 overthrow of Hawaiian monarchy
- Legacy of missionary influence remains debated regarding positive and negative impacts on Hawaiian society
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
