Territory of Hawaii

The Territory of Hawai‘i, abbreviated officially as T.H., was established on 7 July, 1898 and dissolved on 21 August, 1959 when Hawai‘i became a state. The U.S. Congress passed the Newlands Resolution which annexed the former Kingdom of Hawai‘i and later Republic of Hawai‘i to the United States. Hawai‘i's territorial history includes a period from 1941 to 1944 when the islands were placed under martial law. Civilian government was dissolved and a military governor was appointed.

Provisional Government

Upon the overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani in 1893, the Committee of Safety led by Lorrin A. Thurston established the Provisional Government of Hawai‘i to govern the islands in transition to expected annexation by the United States. Thurston actively lobbied Congress while the monarchy, represented in Washington, D.C. by Princess Victoria Ka‘iulani, argued that the overthrow of her aunt's government was illegal.

Related Topics:
Lili‘uokalani - Committee of Safety - Lorrin A. Thurston - Provisional Government of Hawai‘i - Annexation - Washington, D.C. - Victoria Ka‘iulani

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First annexation proceedings began when U.S. President Benjamin Harrison stepped down and Grover Cleveland took office. Cleveland was an anti-imperialist and believed that the American government was wrong to use its troops against a peaceably reigning sovereign. He mounted an inquiry and recommended the restoration of the Kalākaua.

Related Topics:
Benjamin Harrison - Grover Cleveland - Kalākaua

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Objecting to the return of power by Queen Lili‘uokalani and later her heir Ka‘iulani, the provisional government convened a constitutional convention in Honolulu to establish the Republic of Hawai‘i. It was hoped that establishing a republican constitution would make it more difficult to restore the monarchy. Thurston was urged to become the nation's first president but he was worried his brazen personality would damage the cause of annexation. The more conservative former Supreme Court Justice and friend of Queen Lili‘uokalani, Sanford B. Dole, was elected the first and only President of the new regime.

Related Topics:
Honolulu - Republic of Hawai‘i - Sanford B. Dole

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