Bayonet Constitution Case Study Answers

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The Anti-Annexation Struggle. 1. Why was the Bayonet Constitution so detrimental to the Kingdom and the lāhui (nation)? The Bayonet Constitution was so detrimental because it stripped the King, Kalakaua, of his executive powers. All his decisions required the consent of the cabinet and he could no longer appoint the House of Nobles and was prevented from dismissing it. In addition, the constitution instituted property requirements for voter eligibility and barred Asian immigrants from voting. Furthermore, white foreigners no longer had to become citizens to vote, they only had to meet a set of requirements, such as an income of at least $600, a property of at least $3000, and literacy in English, Hawaiian, or any European language. 2. What …show more content…

In addition, at the request of King Kamehameha V, Queen Liliuokalani composed a song called He Mele Lahui Hawaii to replace the British National Anthem. Another song, titled Kaulana Nā Pua, was written in protest the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani. The composer of the song, Ellen Kekoaohiwaikalani Wright Prendergast was a friend of the Queen. 5. Why was the petition drive so important? How many signatures were collected and who collected them? Laura Mahelona of the Honolulu committee collected 4216 signatures, Kaikioewa Ulukou gathered 2,375 signatures on the island of Kaua'i, and Simon P. Kanoa gathered 1,944 in the district of Hana, Maui. The Hui Kalai'aina collected over 17,000 signatures. Overall, 38,000 signatures were collected. It was important because so many people united to protest the annexation. In addition, when the petitions were brought to Washington by the delegates, they persuaded many senators to vote against the treaty, and they returned to Hawaii, optimistic that they had succeeded, for 46 votes was too few for the treaty to pass. 6. Was a treaty of annexation ever