The Annexation of Hawaii: A Path to Statehood
1820
1887
Drag or select the image to thecorrect date
1891
Queen Liliʻuokalani takes the throne.
1893
The "Bayonet Constitution" is signed, stripping the monarchy of power.
The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the Committee of Safety.
1898
Hawaii becomes the 50th U.S. State
Arrival of first American missionaries.
The Newlands Resolution; Hawaii is officially annexed by the U.S
1959
Finish
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1959
Hawaii Becomes the 50th State
After more than 60 years as a U.S. territory, Hawaii was officially admitted to the Union as the 50th state on August 21, 1959. This followed a referendum in which residents of Hawaii voted overwhelmingly in favor of statehood, though this vote remains a point of contention for those who view the original annexation as an unresolved legal injustice. Becoming a state, Hawaii gained full representation in the U.S. Congress and allowed its citizens to vote in presidential elections. While statehood brought modernization and increased tourism, it also solidified the islands' integration into the United States, continuing the complex debate over Hawaiian sovereignty.
1887
The "Bayonet Constitution"
In 1887, a group of armed European and American businessmen, known as the Hawaiian League, forced King Kalākaua to sign a new constitution at gunpoint, earning it the nickname the "Bayonet Constitution." This document drastically reduced the power of the monarchy and shifted authority to the cabinet, which was controlled by the reformers. Critically, the new constitution stripped many Native Hawaiians of their voting rights by implementing strict property and income requirements. This move effectively handed political control of the kingdom to wealthy foreign residents and set the stage for the eventual end of Hawaiian sovereignty.
1893
The Overthrow of the Kingdom
On January 17, 1893, a "Committee of Safety" composed of foreign residents, backed by U.S. Marines from the USS Boston, staged a coup d'état against Queen Liliʻuokalani. To avoid bloodshed and believing the U.S. government would eventually undo the illegal act, the Queen surrendered her authority under protest. A provisional government was quickly established, led by Sanford B. Dole, with the primary goal of achieving annexation by the United States. Despite an investigation by U.S. President Grover Cleveland that found the overthrow to be an illegal "act of war," the provisional government refused to step down.
1820
Arrival of Protestant Missionaries
The year 1820 marked a significant shift in Hawaiian culture with the arrival of the first American Protestant missionaries from New England. These groups sought to convert the Native Hawaiian population to Christianity and introduce Western-style education and writing systems. Over time, the influence of these missionary families expanded beyond religion into the economy and politics. Many descendants of these original missionaries became powerful sugar plantation owners, creating a wealthy elite class that would eventually play a pivotal role in the political upheaval of the late 19th century.
1898
The Newlands Resolution
The onset of the Spanish-American War in 1898 shifted the strategic value of Hawaii for the United States, as the islands served as a vital mid-Pacific refueling station for the Navy. Consequently, Congress passed the Newlands Resolution, which officially annexed Hawaii as a U.S. territory. This annexation occurred despite a massive petition organized by the Hui Aloha ʻĀina (Hawaiian Patriotic League), which demonstrated that the vast majority of Native Hawaiians opposed annexation by the United States. The flag of the Hawaiian Kingdom was lowered at ʻIolani Palace and replaced by the American flag, marking the end of Hawaii's independence.
1891
Accession of Queen Liliʻuokalani
Following the death of her brother, King Kalākaua, Princess Liliʻuokalani took the throne in 1891 as the first queen regnant of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She was a fierce advocate for her people and immediately sought to restore the power of the monarchy and the voting rights of Native Hawaiians through a new constitution. Her efforts to reclaim "Hawaii for the Hawaiians" caused immediate friction with the American-led business elite. Fearing a loss of their political and economic influence, these businessmen began plotting to overthrow her government to ensure the continued dominance of American interests in the islands.
The Annexation of Hawaii: A Path to Statehood
Thomas Kennedy
Created on March 12, 2026
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Transcript
The Annexation of Hawaii: A Path to Statehood
1820
1887
Drag or select the image to thecorrect date
1891
Queen Liliʻuokalani takes the throne.
1893
The "Bayonet Constitution" is signed, stripping the monarchy of power.
The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the Committee of Safety.
1898
Hawaii becomes the 50th U.S. State
Arrival of first American missionaries.
The Newlands Resolution; Hawaii is officially annexed by the U.S
1959
Finish
Incredible, historianin action!
You have arranged all the events in their correct order and your timeline shines like a history book full of adventures. From Columbus's voyage to the arrival of man on the Moon, every moment is in its place.
Get ready to receive a virtual ovation and feel like a true master of time!
1959
Hawaii Becomes the 50th State
After more than 60 years as a U.S. territory, Hawaii was officially admitted to the Union as the 50th state on August 21, 1959. This followed a referendum in which residents of Hawaii voted overwhelmingly in favor of statehood, though this vote remains a point of contention for those who view the original annexation as an unresolved legal injustice. Becoming a state, Hawaii gained full representation in the U.S. Congress and allowed its citizens to vote in presidential elections. While statehood brought modernization and increased tourism, it also solidified the islands' integration into the United States, continuing the complex debate over Hawaiian sovereignty.
1887
The "Bayonet Constitution"
In 1887, a group of armed European and American businessmen, known as the Hawaiian League, forced King Kalākaua to sign a new constitution at gunpoint, earning it the nickname the "Bayonet Constitution." This document drastically reduced the power of the monarchy and shifted authority to the cabinet, which was controlled by the reformers. Critically, the new constitution stripped many Native Hawaiians of their voting rights by implementing strict property and income requirements. This move effectively handed political control of the kingdom to wealthy foreign residents and set the stage for the eventual end of Hawaiian sovereignty.
1893
The Overthrow of the Kingdom
On January 17, 1893, a "Committee of Safety" composed of foreign residents, backed by U.S. Marines from the USS Boston, staged a coup d'état against Queen Liliʻuokalani. To avoid bloodshed and believing the U.S. government would eventually undo the illegal act, the Queen surrendered her authority under protest. A provisional government was quickly established, led by Sanford B. Dole, with the primary goal of achieving annexation by the United States. Despite an investigation by U.S. President Grover Cleveland that found the overthrow to be an illegal "act of war," the provisional government refused to step down.
1820
Arrival of Protestant Missionaries
The year 1820 marked a significant shift in Hawaiian culture with the arrival of the first American Protestant missionaries from New England. These groups sought to convert the Native Hawaiian population to Christianity and introduce Western-style education and writing systems. Over time, the influence of these missionary families expanded beyond religion into the economy and politics. Many descendants of these original missionaries became powerful sugar plantation owners, creating a wealthy elite class that would eventually play a pivotal role in the political upheaval of the late 19th century.
1898
The Newlands Resolution
The onset of the Spanish-American War in 1898 shifted the strategic value of Hawaii for the United States, as the islands served as a vital mid-Pacific refueling station for the Navy. Consequently, Congress passed the Newlands Resolution, which officially annexed Hawaii as a U.S. territory. This annexation occurred despite a massive petition organized by the Hui Aloha ʻĀina (Hawaiian Patriotic League), which demonstrated that the vast majority of Native Hawaiians opposed annexation by the United States. The flag of the Hawaiian Kingdom was lowered at ʻIolani Palace and replaced by the American flag, marking the end of Hawaii's independence.
1891
Accession of Queen Liliʻuokalani
Following the death of her brother, King Kalākaua, Princess Liliʻuokalani took the throne in 1891 as the first queen regnant of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She was a fierce advocate for her people and immediately sought to restore the power of the monarchy and the voting rights of Native Hawaiians through a new constitution. Her efforts to reclaim "Hawaii for the Hawaiians" caused immediate friction with the American-led business elite. Fearing a loss of their political and economic influence, these businessmen began plotting to overthrow her government to ensure the continued dominance of American interests in the islands.