Which wealthy pineapple farmer assisted in the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii?

Which wealthy pineapple farmer assisted in the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii?

• A. Grover Cleveland
• B. Leland Stanford
• C. Sanford B. Dole
• D. John S. McClure

Answer: (C)

The question is about the people who played a direct, hands-on role in removing Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 and shaping Hawaii’s move toward becoming part of the United States. Sanford B. Dole was a prominent pineapple grower and lawyer who used his wealth and influence to organize the group known as the Committee of Safety, which orchestrated the coup against the queen and established a provisional government. His leadership in that coup and later role as head of the Provisional Government (and then the Republic of Hawaii) show how economic interests tied to the pineapple industry helped drive political change. The other figures listed did not have the same hands-on leadership role in Hawaii’s overthrow: Grover Cleveland was the U.S. president who opposed the coup and sought to restore the queen, Leland Stanford was a California railroad and business leader with no direct involvement in Hawaii, and John S. McClure was a journalist. Thus, Sanford B. Dole fits the description.

The question is about the people who played a direct, hands-on role in removing Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 and shaping Hawaii’s move toward becoming part of the United States. Sanford B. Dole was a prominent pineapple grower and lawyer who used his wealth and influence to organize the group known as the Committee of Safety, which orchestrated the coup against the queen and established a provisional government. His leadership in that coup and later role as head of the Provisional Government (and then the Republic of Hawaii) show how economic interests tied to the pineapple industry helped drive political change. The other figures listed did not have the same hands-on leadership role in Hawaii’s overthrow: Grover Cleveland was the U.S. president who opposed the coup and sought to restore the queen, Leland Stanford was a California railroad and business leader with no direct involvement in Hawaii, and John S. McClure was a journalist. Thus, Sanford B. Dole fits the description.