Blount Report facts for kids

The Blount Report is a special report from 1893. It was made by the United States House of Representatives to look into how the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown. James H. Blount, a U.S. Commissioner, wrote the report. He was asked by U.S. President Grover Cleveland to investigate what happened in January 1893.

The Blount Report was the first official document to show that the United States was involved in illegally overthrowing Hawaii's government. Blount found that the U.S. Minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens, had acted improperly. Stevens had landed U.S. Marines in Hawaii using a fake reason. This was done to help a group that wanted to remove the Queen. Blount said these actions were key to the overthrow succeeding. He also found that most people in Hawaii did not want the Queen's government to be overthrown.

Later, in 1894, another report called the Morgan Report came out. It disagreed with Blount's findings. The Morgan Report said that everyone involved, except for Queen Liliʻuokalani, was "not guilty."

Why the Blount Report Was Needed

In January 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii wanted to change the constitution. The old constitution, called the "Bayonet Constitution," had taken away much of the Queen's power. She wanted a new one that would give power back to the Hawaiian throne.

A group of American and European businessmen, called the Committee of Public Safety, did not like this. They forced Queen Liliʻuokalani out of power. They then set up a temporary government. During this time, the American Minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens, ordered U.S. Marines to land in Honolulu. They came from the ship USS Boston. Stevens said they were there to protect American lives and property.

After the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown, the new Provisional Government of Hawaii quickly sent a request to the U.S. President. They wanted Hawaii to become part of the United States. President Benjamin Harrison was in favor of this idea. He sent the request to the Senate for approval.

However, less than three weeks later, Grover Cleveland became President. He did not want the U.S. to expand its territory. So, he stopped the annexation request. He then appointed James H. Blount to investigate everything that had happened.

How the Investigation Was Done

James Blount was sent to Hawaii as a special envoy. He had a lot of power to investigate the overthrow and the new temporary government. Blount talked to many people. He collected statements, letters, and other documents. He heard from groups like the "Hawaiian Patriotic League."

Blount gave his report to President Cleveland on July 17, 1893. He stated that improper U.S. support had caused the overthrow to succeed. He also concluded that the new temporary government did not have the support of the Hawaiian people.

Based on Blount's report, President Cleveland removed Minister Stevens from his job. Cleveland then secretly tried to bring Queen Liliʻuokalani back to power. He said she would need to forgive those who had overthrown her. The new U.S. Minister to Hawaii, Albert Willis, tried to convince the Queen. She finally agreed to grant forgiveness in December 18.

Willis then told Sanford Dole, the head of the temporary government, to give up his power and restore the Queen. Dole strongly refused Cleveland's demand. On the same day, President Cleveland told Congress that the overthrow was wrong. He called it "an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States."

Blount's report clearly stated:

• If the U.S. Minister, John L. Stevens, had not wanted Hawaii to be annexed, the group that overthrew the Queen would not have formed.
• If U.S. forces had not landed using false reasons, the group would not have risked being charged with treason.
• If U.S. forces had not been nearby to offer support, the group would not have declared a new government.
• If Honolulu had not been illegally occupied by U.S. forces, the Queen would never have given up her government.

Why the Report Matters Today

In 1993, the U.S. Congress passed a special law called the Apology Resolution. This law apologized for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii 100 years earlier.

The Apology Resolution was based on the Blount Report and other historical studies. It is very important for Hawaiians today. It helps them understand their history and cultural identity. It is also a key document for the growing Hawaiian sovereignty movement. This movement seeks self-government for Hawaiians, similar to how Native American and Alaskan peoples govern themselves.