Historical Review - The Newlands Resolution
During the 1800s, the United States was a major importer of Hawaiian agricultural products. Queen Lili'uokalani was the last monarch of Hawaii. On January 17, 1893, she was overthrown during a bloodless coup led by the "Committee of Safety" and John Stevens - the U.S. Minister to Hawaii. The "Committee of Safety" was a group of non-native U.S. citizens with interests in the sugar industry. Most native Hawaiin's were opposed to the coup. The United States Congress passed the Newlands Resolution on July 7, 1898. The resolution known as House Joint Resolution 259, 55th Congress, 2nd session, was signed into law by President William McKinley. The Newlands Resolution was written by Francis G. Newlands (D-Nevada). The resolution created a five-member commission to study the laws that would be necessary to govern Hawaii. The Newlands Resolution annexed the Republic of Hawaii. In 1900, Congress designated Hawaii as a U.S. territory. On August 21, 1959, President