Title: The Overthrow of Hawaii - THE BAYONET CONSTITUTION | MadMikesAmerica
Headings: Hawaii has a troubled colonial history it’s a miracle the people survived at all
The Overthrow of Hawaii – THE BAYONET CONSTITUTION
Hawaii has a troubled colonial history it’s a miracle the people survived at all
Above – The current flag of Hawaii
King David of Hawaii
The Bayonet Constitution

Content: In 1887, members of the League armed with guns assembled together. The King was frightened by this show of force and offered to transfer his powers to the foreign ministers representing the United States, the United Kingdom, or Portugal. The members of the league instead asked him to sign a new constitution. The Bayonet Constitution
This new constitution, nicknamed the Bayonet Constitution of 1887, removed much of the King’s executive power and deprived most native Hawaiians of their voting rights. The legislature was now able to override a veto by the King, and the King was no longer allowed to take action without approval of the cabinet. The House of Nobles, the house of legislature appointed by the King, was to be elected. It also inserted a provision that allowed non-Hawaiian citizens to vote. A counter-revolution, led by Robert Wilcox, aimed at restoring the King’s power, failed. The Constitution was written by Lorrin A. Thurston, it took away King David’s authority, and gave it to the native Hawaiian, American and European elite. 75% of the population lost their voting rights.