How Do You Spell BAYONET CONSTITUTION?

Pronunciation: [bˈe͡ɪənˌɛt kˌɒnstɪtjˈuːʃən] (IPA)

The "Bayonet Constitution" was a legal document imposed on the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1887 by a group of American and European businessmen, who called themselves the "Committee of Safety." The name "bayonet" comes from the fact that the constitution was forced upon the ruling monarch at gunpoint. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˌbeɪəˈnɛt kənˌstɪtʃuʃən/, with emphasis on the first syllable of "bayonet" and the second syllable of "constitution."

Meaning and Definition
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BAYONET CONSTITUTION Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "bayonet constitution" refers to a particular historical event in the Kingdom of Hawaii during the late 19th century, as well as the constitution that emerged from it. More specifically, it refers to the constitution of 1887 that was forced upon King David Kalakaua by a group of powerful American and European businessmen and sugar planters.

    The bayonet constitution was so named because it was implemented under the threat of military force, with the conspirators metaphorically holding a bayonet to the king's throat. The constitution drastically curtailed the power of the monarchy and reduced the monarchy's authority to more of a figurehead role. It introduced a cabinet system in which the king's power was limited, and gave the foreign and native businessmen disproportionate control over the government.

    This event is highly significant in Hawaiian history as it marked the shift of power from the monarchy to the predominantly American and European business elite, who sought to protect their economic and political interests. It also intensified the influence of the United States in Hawaii's affairs and set the stage for the eventual annexation of the islands by the US in 1898.

    The term "bayonet constitution" is used to describe this particular historical document and the events surrounding its implementation, highlighting the coercive tactics employed in the process and the lasting impact it had on the political landscape of Hawaii.