8.1 Foreign Interests and the Committee of Safety

Foreign interests in Hawaii were driven by economic and political motives. Sugar industry dominance led to a desire for tariff-free exports to the US, while land acquisition displaced native Hawaiians. American expansionism fueled by Manifest Destiny ideology sought new markets and strategic military positions.

The Committee of Safety, composed of American and European businessmen, aimed to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. Their actions, along with the Bayonet Constitution, shifted power away from native Hawaiians and accelerated foreign control over Hawaiian affairs.

Foreign Interests in Hawaii

Foreign business interests in Hawaii

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• Economic interests drove sugar industry dominance led to desire for tariff-free exports to US
• Political influence exerted through lobbying for pro-business policies pressured Hawaiian monarchs to cede power
• Land acquisition resulted in accumulation of large estates by foreign planters displaced native Hawaiians from ancestral lands
• Labor importation recruited workers from Asia and Europe created multicultural plantation workforce (Chinese, Japanese, Filipino)

American expansionism's influence

• Manifest Destiny ideology promoted belief in America's right to expand across Pacific (Alaska, Midway)
• Strategic military interests fueled desire for naval base at Pearl Harbor enhanced US naval presence
• Economic imperialism pursued new markets and resources expanded US commercial reach
• Cultural imperialism spread American values and institutions (English language, Christianity)
• Diplomatic pressure interfered in Hawaiian internal affairs supported pro-American factions

The Committee of Safety and Constitutional Changes

Committee of Safety's role

• Composition primarily American and European businessmen and plantation owners (Sanford Dole, Lorrin Thurston)
• Formation established in response to Queen Liliuokalani's attempt to promulgate new constitution restored monarchical power
• Objectives aimed to overthrow Hawaiian monarchy and annex Hawaii by United States
• Actions included:
  1. Coordinating with U.S. Minister John L. Stevens
  2. Mobilizing Honolulu Rifles militia
  3. Proclaiming provisional government

Significance of Bayonet Constitution

• Circumstances of creation forced upon King Kalakaua in 1887 backed by threat of violence from Honolulu Rifles
• Key provisions reduced monarch's power introduced property qualifications for voting disenfranchised many native Hawaiians and Asian immigrants
• Impact on governance shifted power to legislature dominated by foreign interests made cabinet answerable to legislature rather than monarch
• Long-term consequences weakened native Hawaiian political influence accelerated foreign control over Hawaiian affairs