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POLITICAL CARICATURES OF THE
HAWAIIAN KINGDOM

Circa 1875-1905

1883

• "The New Lorelei". Cartoon, color. San Francisco, California. The Wasp. August 11, 1883. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection.

  Corner note: We are glad to hear evidences that the monumental fraud called the Kingdom of the Sandwich Islands, which has been maintained for the past twelve years at the expense of the people of the U.S., is ready fall to pieces. We presume that England will then step in and assume a protectorate.

  Description: Grover Cleveland is depicted as Lorelei sitting dejectedly on a rock in foreground, the Sandwich Isles lie in the distance, a U.S. vessel is shipwrecked and a British ship is gathering flotsam.

  

  1887

• "To the Rescue." Cartoon, chromolith. San Francisco, California, The Wasp, July 16, 1887. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection [37/32].

  Description: King Kalakaua sits on a throne being toppled by the "revolution". The schooner "Lurline" is in the background. A barefoot woman rushing back from the Jubilee represents Kapi'olani.

   

• "Which will win?" Cartoon, chromolith. San Francisco, California, The Wasp, August 27, 1887. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection [37/33].

  Description: Shows King Kalakaua drunk, his crown askew. John Bull is holding him up by an arm and emptying a bottle onto the ground. Caricatured Kapi'olani is holding his other arm. Cleveland is on his knees before them pleading for something

  
  

  

  1893

   

• Victor. "We Draw the Line at This." Cartoon, color lithograph. [New York], Judge, v25, 6331, December 2, 1893. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Drawer Ills. press 1-2, Negative no. CP103.862, slide no. XS 30.786.

  Caption: Our good-natured country may allow this administration to give our market to England, sell our embassies to Anglomaniac dudes, and cause the reduction of wages to the European standard. But...

  Description: Soldiers are holding up on points of bayonets a round platform upon which sits a caricature of Lili'uokalani, feathers in her hair, crown askew, barefoot, holding a paper reading "scandalous government", and "gross immorality".

   

• Victor. "When We Annex Hawaii." Cartoon, color lithograph. [New York], Judge, c.1893. Hawai'i State Archives. Kahn Collection. Also at Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Drawer Ills. press. Negative no. CP103.873, slide no. XS 31.155. Honolulu, Hawai'i

  Description: Several vignettes with captions.

  • "The bicycle will be in demand"
  • "Make Dave Hill king of the Sandwich Islands."
  • "Transfer Tammany to the wilds of Hawaii."
  • "A great American institution will be at once adopted"- i.e. swindlers, cheats, etc.
  • "Another great American institution will beautify the country" - i.e. saloon, liquor.
  • "The enterprising Yankee agents will shortly afflict the inhabitants."
  • "What a magnificent field for Dr. Parkhurst."
  • "Queen Lily will have a great time"-i.e. in a meuseum (sic) side show attraction.

   

  

  1894

• "His Little Hawaiian Game Checkmated." Cartoon, chromolith. [New York], Judge. n.p., c1894. Hawaiian Historical Society, Whitney scrapbook, p114, 999.6 W61S. Kahn Collection [37/35], Hawai'i State Archives. Also at Bernice P. Bishop Museum Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i.

  Caption: Uncle Sam: "Grover this game has been too deep for you. Every move you've made has been a blunder, and now you've lost your Black Queen and the game.

  Description: Uncle Sam and Cleveland are playing chess with pieces representing the U.S. senators and Queen Lili'uokalani.

   

• Taylor. "In His Second Childhood." Cartoon, color lithograph. New York, N.Y. Puck, v 35, n 886, February 28, 1894. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection.

  Description: Hoar is strapped into a high chair in the senatorial nursery and a page seems to be dangling a "Queen Lil" doll in front of him.

  

  1897

   

• Taylor, C.J. "Another Shotgun Wedding, with Neither Party Willing". Cartoon, color lithograph. Puck, v 42, n 1082. December 1, 1897. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Archives, Honolulu, Hawai'i. Drawer: Ills. Press 1-2, negative no. CP 103.858, slide no. XS 30.782.

  Description: A woman (Hawai'i) and Uncle Sam are getting married, kneeling before the minister (McKinley) who is reading from a book entitled "Annexation Policy". The bride seems ready to bolt. Behind the couple stands Morgan (jingo) with a shotgun.

• Dalrymple. "Patient Waiters are No Losers." Cartoon, color lithograph. New York, Puck. January 13, 1897. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection.

  Caption: Uncle Sam - "I ain't in a hurry-it'll drop into my basket when it gets ripe."

  Description: Uncle Sam is standing under a fruit tree, fruits hanging from tree are labeled "Hawaii, Canada, Cuba, Florida, Texas, California, and Louisiana".

• Dalrymple. "Settling Affairs of State." Cartoon, color lithograph. New York, Puck, vXLI, n1062, July 14, 1897. Hawai'i State Archives. Kahn Collection. Also at Bernice P. Bishop Museum Archives. Drawer: Ills. Press 1-2, negative no. CP103.859, slide no. XS30.783. Honolulu, Hawai'i.

  Description: Secretary Sherman, dressed as an old woman, is gathering flowers from a pot labeled "Diplomatic Questions". The flowers are labeled "Bering Sea", "Cuba", "Hawaii". He is plucking petals from the Hawai'i flower.

  

  1898

   

• Dalrymple. "School Begins". Cartoon, color lithograph. [New York], Puck, 1898. Hawai'i State Archives. Kahn Collection 37:39. Also at Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Honolulu, Hawai'i.

  Caption: Uncle Sam (to his new class on civilization) - "Now, children, you've got to learn these lessons whether you want to or not! But just take a look at the class ahead of you, and remember that in a little while, you will be as glad to be here as they are!"

  Description: In the back of the classroom students representing California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Alaska are quietly reading. In the front row are boys representing the Philippines, Porto (sic) Rico, Cuba, and Hawai'i looking bored and out of place.

   

• Keppler. "A Trifle Embarrassed." Cartoon, chromolith. [New York], Puck, 1898. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection [37/36].

  Caption: Uncle Sam: "Gosh, I wish they wouldn't come quite so many in a bunch; but if I've got to take them, I guess I can do as well by them as I've done by the others."

  Description: Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty are standing by a wall labeled "U.S. Foundling Asylum". Outstretched arms labeled "Manifest Destiny" are handing them a basket of crying children representing Porto (sic) Rico, Hawaii, Cuba, Philippines. Children dancing in the yard are labeled California, Texas and Mexico.

  

  1900

• Pughe, J.S. "Hurrah! The country is saved again." Cartoon, color lithograph. Puck, 1900. Hawai'i State Archives. Kahn Collection [37/40]. Also at Bernice P. Bishop Museum Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i.

  

  Description: Uncle Sam and Miss Columbia are at the gate of the Capitol dancing with little people representing Cuba, Porto (sic) Rico, Labor, Capital, Philippines and Hawai'i.

   

• Dalrymple. "The Ill-Fated Sister." Cartoon, color lithograph. New York, Puck, 1900. Hawai'i State Archives. Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection [37/41].

  Description: U.S. and Hawaii are riding in a carriage named "Free Trade", Porto (sic) Rico is standing forlornly by the roadside.

  

  1901

• Hamilton, Grant. "The American Policy". Cartoon, color lithograph. Judge. c. 1901, v 40, n 1018. Hawai'i State Archives, Honolulu, Hawai'i. Kahn Collection.

  Caption: Bringing the truant boy to the little red, white and blue schoolhouse.

  Description: Miss Columbia, teacher at the Liberty School, is ringing a bell. Uncle Sam, switch in hand, is dragging by the ear a Filipino boy in loincloth and amulet. Boys from Hawai'i, Cuba, and Porto Rico(sic) are standing around watching.

  

  NO DATE

   

• Dalrymple. "An Eye-Opener". Cartoon, color lithograph. Puck, n.d., n.p. Hawai'i State Archives, Honolulu. Kahn Collection. Also at Bernice P. Bishop Museum Archives. Drawer: Ills. Press, negative no. CP 103.857, slide no. XS 30.781. Honolulu, Hawai'i.

  Caption: Uncle Sam- "See if you can read that sign through this hyar telescope o' mine."
  

  Description: Uncle Sam is holding the small end of a telescope on John Bull's eye. John Bull is standing across the water in England and Hawaii is in the middle of the ocean. The telescope is labeled "Monroe Doctrine" and is aimed at a sign reading "No foreign interference."

   

Additional listings.

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http://www.edb.utexas.edu/faculty/salinas/students/student_sites/Fall2005/hawaii/

Queen Liliuokalani and the American Take-over of Hawaii

On January 16, 1893, United States Marines from the U.S.S Boston surrounded the palace of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii.  The Queen was informed that a “provisional government” composed of American citizens had been established until such time as the island nation could be annexed by the United States.  Queen Liliuokalani peacefully yielded power to avoid bloodshed and put her faith in the government of the United States to restore sovereignty to its peaceful Pacific trading partner.  The story of how the U.S. came to invade this small island nation is a shameful but largely forgotten chapter in American history. A Western Model Nation By the mid-19th century Hawaii had developed a modern government as a constitutional monarchy.  American missionaries were firmly entrenched and Protestant Christianity was the dominant religion.  A modern economy based largely on exports had developed, dominated by merchants from the U.S.  Sugar was the most important export crop.  During the Civil War the North relied largely on Hawaiian sugar imports to replace Southern growers, and the industry boomed.  Hawaii’s reigning King Kalakaua did much to assist the sugar industry.  A reciprocity trade treaty was negotiated with the United States and agreements were made with Asian nations to bring in much needed labor. Nevertheless, a movement grew among American citizens in Hawaii to gain greater control over the country.  Many favored annexation by the United States.  In 1887, these citizens drew up a new constitution with the intention of assassinating the king and establishing a republic.  At the last minute, fears of the reaction of the vastly larger native population caused the revolutionaries to rewrite the document, leaving the king in place but stripping him of power.  Hawaii had no standing army to speak of, and militia companies organized by the revolutionaries presented the new constitution to the king essentially at gunpoint, causing it to be dubbed the “Bayonet Constitution.”  Provisions in the constitution ensured that American business interests would remain in control of the government. Queen Liliuokalani When King Kalakaua died in January 1891, his sister, Queen Liliuokalani ascended the throne.  By this time revolutionaries were at a fever pitch over the McKinley Tariff of 1890, which caused a recession in the islands by withdrawing the safeguards ensuring a mainland market for Hawaiian sugar.  Under the 1887 constitution, power was essentially vested in the legislature and the cabinet of ministers, both controlled by American business interests, but Liliuokalani found a loophole.  The death of the former King allowed her to dismiss the cabinet, as the constitution makes no provision for their continuance after the death of a monarch.  Over the coming months, Liliuokalani selected new cabinets, only to have them removed by the legislature.  As the wrangling continued, Liliuokalani was forced to sign questionable bills passed by the legislature which would later be used by Americans to condemn her, including a lottery bill and legalized opium trade.	Queen Liliuokalani
Coup In Participant Account #1, an excerpt from Liliuokalani’s autobiography, Liliuokalani describes a great upwelling of support among native Hawaiians for a new constitution.  Supporters drew up a constitution that essentially restored the pre-1887 government.  Word reached American interests and became the pretext for a coup.  John L. Stevens, the American minister to Hawaii and an ardent supporter of annexation, called on troops from the U.S.S. Boston to enter the city and take control of Iolani Palace and various other governmental buildings.  In Account #3, we see that Stevens justifies this action “for the protection of the United States legation and United States consulate, and to secure the safety of American life and property.”  Yet in Account #2, Liliuokalani describes the city as peaceful that day.  A provisional government was established with Sanford B. Dole, one of the leaders of the coup, as President.  In Account #1 Liliuokalani describes the charges the revolutionaries made against her.  The provisional government almost immediately sends a delegation to Washington to seek annexation, as Stevens describes in his letters in Account #3.	John L. Stevens
Repercussions President Cleveland took office soon after and was unhappy with the situation.  He sent James H. Blount to replace Stevens as minister to Hawaii and to report on the situation.  Blount interviewed all parties and submited an exhaustive 1300 page report in which he concluded that the majority of Hawaiians supported Liliuokalani.  He implicated Stevens in the illegal overthrow of Liliuokalani and recommended she be restored.  Blount returned home and Albert S. Willis was sent as the new American minister to discuss the possibility of restoring Liliuokalani to the throne.  Liliuokalani describes in her autobiography that her discussions with Willis were confusing and led to the false charge in American newspapers that she would behead the revolutionaries if restored to power.  Congress intervened and on July 4, 1894, the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford B. Dole as president was declared and recognized by the United States government.  Official U.S. policy was to let Hawaii determine its own government. Rebellion In January 1895, an attempt was made by native Hawaiians and sympathetic Americans to overthrow Dole’s government.  In her autobiography, Liliuokalani describes how she is aware of the rebellion but takes no active part.  The rebellion swiftly failed.  A collection of antique firearms that belonged to her late husband was used to accuse Liliuokalani of maintaining a cache of weapons for the rebels.  She was imprisoned and told that she would be put to death along with the rebels.  Her autobiography describes her imprisonment and how her captors evidently change their mind about execution for fear of American public opinion.  Liliuokalani was presented with a document formally abdicating the throne and told the rebels would be executed if she did not sign.  Liliuokalani chose abdication to save the lives of her supporters.  Nevertheless, Liliuokalani was tried for treason and sentenced to pay $5000 and serve 5 years in prison at hard labor (which she doesn’t serve).  At her trial Liliuokalani made an eloquent statement defending her actions and pleading for the future of her nation, found in Account #4. Not all Americans approved of what happened in Hawaii.  As previously mentioned, Americans took part in the rebellion of 1895, which attempted to restore Liliuokalani.  In his letters to Washington, Stevens speaks of  “ ‘liberals,’ as they term, themselves, composed mostly of the irresponsible white voters” who support Liliuokalani.  At least one American journalist was ousted by Dole for showing sympathy for the Queen.  Political cartoons from the time express concern in the American population over annexation.	Sanford B. Dole
Aftermath In 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States through a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress under Present William McKinley.  Liliuokalani wrote her autobiography and continued to live in Hawaii until her death in 1917.  In 1993, on the one hundred year anniversary of the coup, President Clinton signed a bill into law formally apologizing to Hawaii for the illegal invasion by the United States. Conclusions It is comforting to remember the great things we have done as a nation.  America was founded on ideals of freedom and self-determination that are a model to the world.  Yet, we have not always lived by those ideals.  Greed and feelings of innate superiority have led our ancestors to make decisions we can scarcely be proud of.  Our past has a bearing on our present and our future.  Understanding the mistakes we have made helps us understand the implications of our future decisions.  If we persist in a view of the past that insists that America can do no wrong, we will scarcely question the course we take in the future. Stories like the invasion of Hawaii must be told.  Liliuokalani, while she would not consider herself an American, was as intelligent and brave as any that we hold up as American heroes.  One need only read Account #4 to appreciate her eloquence.  By choosing to forget a shameful chapter in America’s story, we deny Liliuokalani the place she deserves in history.   Editorial Cartoons All political cartoons courtesy of Univeristy of Hawaii at Manoa Libraries, Special Collections 1.  Who are the key players? 2.  How do you recognize who they are? 3.  What does the chessboard symbolize? 1.    Look at the queen’s clothing. How does the artist depict her as being Hawaiian?                             2.    What can you tell about her facial expression? And the soldiers? 1.  What is the general tone of this political cartoon? 2.  Whose point of view does the artist seem to be portraying? Hawaii or United States? PHOTO PAGE All photos courtesy of Univeristy of Hawaii at Manoa Libraries, Special Collections   U.S.S. Boston Marines Landing, 1/16/1893 Notice the crowd of spectators in the photo.  What do you think that means?  Why didn’t the marines feel any need for secrecy? Contrast these soldiers with the Queen’s guards in the next photo. Provisional Government Troops at Iolani Palace                How do you think the soldiers feel about their situation? Why do you think they choose not to resist? Disbandment of the Royal Household Guard Hawaiian Flag lowering at Iolani Palace (8/12/1898) What are the spectators looking at? Can you tell whether the spectators are Americans or Hawaiians? Looking at this building, would you say it belongs to a modern or primitive country? Main Page | Editorial Cartoons | Photos | Participant Accounts   Participant Accounts Account # 1: Excerpts from Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen …The election of 1892 arrived, and with it the usual excitement of such occasions. Petitions poured in from every part of the Islands for a new constitution; these were addressed to myself as the reigning sovereign. They were supported by petitions addressed to the Hui Kalaaina, who in turn indorsed and forwarded them to me. How does Liliuokalani justify a new constitution? Does Liliuokalani effectively answer the charges that are made against her in this passage? Should Liliuokalani be accountable for laws she signed, even if the constitution required her to do so? Account # 2: Extracts from statement made by the Queen to Minister Blount At about five P.M., however, the troops from the United States ship Boston were landed, by the order of the United States minister, J. L. Stevens, in secret understanding with the revolutionary party, whose names are L. A. Thurston, .... Why had they landed when everything was at peace? I was told that it was for the safety of American citizens and the protection of their interests. Then, why had they not gone to the residences, instead of drawing in line in front of the palace gates, with guns pointed at us, and when I was living with my people in the palace? Reading this account, does it sound like there is any danger? How does Liliuokalani react when she is informed that she is being removed?  Do you think she poses a danger of violence to the rebels? In his letters to Washington, Stevens implies that Liliuokalani is basically a puppet of unsavory characters.  Reading this account she wrote, do you believe that?   Account # 3: Letters from John L. Stevens, American Minister to Hawaii The great lack here now is an intelligent and efficient executive, which it is impossible to have with the existing monarchy.   For twenty years the palace has been the center of corruption and scandal, and is likely to remain so as long as the Hawaiian native monarchy exists. There is little doubt that the less responsible and more resolute op- ponents of the Queen and the marshal are strong enough to capture the palace and Government buildings, but the more responsible and conservative citizens favor only pacific measures and urge forbearance. Account # 4: Liliuokalani on Trial "I would ask you to consider that your government is on trial before the whole civilized world, and that in accordance with your actions and decisions will you yourselves be judged. The happiness and prosperity of Hawaii are henceforth in your hands as its rulers. You are commencing a new era in its history. May the divine Providence grant you the wisdom to lead the nation into the paths of forbearance, forgiveness, and peace, and to create and consolidate a united people ever anxious to advance in the way of civilization outlined by the American fathers of liberty and religion. Liliuokalani writes in her autobiography that she believes her trial was intended to discredit and embarrass Hawaii’s former ruler. Reading the statement she made at the trial, do you think this was accomplished?  Does Liliuokalani sound “beaten?” Do you think Liliuokalani is more concerned for her own future or her country’s? Main Page | Editorial Cartoons | Photos | Participant Accounts   ******************************************************************** These are Political Cartoons that were found in Queen Liliuokalani's files:   ******************************* Note:    The U.S. has a history of ANIMOSITIES AGAINST HAWAIIANS, PEOPLE OF COLOR.............. As well as ANIMOSITIES against the American Indians, Blacks/"NIGGERS", et. als. and have depicted our people as "NIGGERS" as well...............   Just a reminder to all.............................aloha.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM-mfEMssy8