Committee of Safety

Definition

The Committee of Safety was a group formed in Hawaii in 1893, primarily made up of American and European businessmen and sugar planters, with the aim of facilitating the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani's monarchy. This committee played a critical role in the political machinations leading to the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States, reflecting the influence of foreign interests in local governance and the strategic economic desires of its members.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Committee of Safety was established on January 14, 1893, with 13 members, many of whom were influential sugar planters and U.S. diplomats.
2. They sought to depose Queen Liliuokalani and replace her with a provisional government that favored annexation to the United States.
3. The committee's actions were supported by the presence of U.S. military forces, specifically the USS Boston, which provided a show of force during the coup.
4. Following the overthrow, the committee quickly moved to establish a new government and declare Hawaii a republic.
5. The actions taken by the Committee of Safety set off a chain reaction that ultimately led to Hawaii's annexation in 1898 and its subsequent statehood in 1959.

Review Questions

• What motivated the formation of the Committee of Safety and how did it reflect foreign interests in Hawaii?
  • The Committee of Safety was motivated by the desire among American and European businessmen to protect their economic interests in Hawaii, particularly in sugar production. These individuals felt threatened by Queen Liliuokalani's attempts to restore power to the monarchy and implement reforms that would affect their profits. The committee's formation was a direct response to these threats, reflecting how foreign interests sought control over local governance to ensure favorable conditions for their business operations.
• Discuss the key events that led to the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani by the Committee of Safety.
  • Key events leading to Queen Liliuokalani's overthrow included her attempts to implement a new constitution that would restore more powers to her throne and reduce foreign influence. The Committee of Safety formed rapidly in response, planning an insurrection. On January 17, 1893, they succeeded with assistance from U.S. military forces who were deployed nearby. This coup resulted in the establishment of a provisional government led by individuals from the committee, fundamentally altering Hawaii’s political landscape.
• Evaluate the impact of the Committee of Safety's actions on Hawaii's path toward annexation by the United States.
  • The actions taken by the Committee of Safety had profound implications for Hawaii's political future. By overthrowing Queen Liliuokalani and establishing a provisional government, they created a political vacuum that facilitated Hawaii’s annexation by the United States. This move was driven by economic interests tied to sugar production and strategic military considerations in the Pacific. The resulting Republic of Hawaii laid groundwork for formal annexation in 1898, significantly altering Hawaii's governance and identity, and integrating it into U.S. territory.

Related terms

Annexation:

The formal incorporation of a territory into another geopolitical entity, often involving a country taking control over a region or territory.

Queen Liliuokalani:

The last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, whose efforts to restore power to the Hawaiian monarchy led to her overthrow by the Committee of Safety.

Republic of Hawaii:

The government formed after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, which lasted from 1894 until Hawaii's annexation by the United States in 1898.