U.S Marines landing in Honolulu during the overthrow of Lili’uokalani

U.S Marines landing in Honolulu during the overthrow of Lili’uokalani

Hawaii
annexation

On August 12th 1898, the overthrow and betrayal of the Hawaiian monarchy saw the lowering of the Hawaiian flag and the raising of the American flag at ‘Iolani Palace, where Queen Lili’uokalani was imprisoned, marking a huge turning point in Hawaiian history. The photo shows American marines united, symbolising the sovereignty of the United States. This not only shows the power of the United States but also the loss of the Hawaiian’s who had fought for over four years against the annexation of Hawaii. This photo depicts the loss of Queen Lili’oukalani and the monarchy.
The photo shows the separation between Americans and Hawaiians which connotes the divisions between the nations and the utmost resentment Hawaiian’s felt towards the Americans, which was present until the mid 20th Century.
Finally, this photo shows the success of the westernisation of Hawaii which was a long-term progress over the course of a century.

Modern Hawaiian History – Ann Rayson

Hawaii State Archives

http://libweb.hawaii.edu/digicoll/annexation/images/pic5.html

12 August 1898

Alisha Mehta

Hawaii State Archives, http://libweb.hawaii.edu/digicoll/annexation/images/pic5.html

N/A

Visual - photograph

19th century Hawai'i