U.S. Marines land in Honolulu, Hawaii from the USS Boston to prevent the queen from abrogating the Bayonet Constitution.

The United States Marine Corps: America's Expeditionary Force

The United States Marine Corps (USMC), often referred to simply as the United States Marines, serves as the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Its core mission revolves around conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations globally, projecting power from the sea to shore. The Marine Corps achieves this through the strategic application of combined arms, integrating its own highly specialized infantry, armor, artillery, aerial assets, and special operations forces. This self-contained operational capability allows the USMC to respond rapidly to crises and conduct diverse missions, from humanitarian aid to combat operations, often as the first force on the ground.

As one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, the U.S. Marine Corps holds a unique position within the nation's defense structure. These eight services include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps.

A critical aspect of the Marine Corps' operational framework is its deep-rooted institutional relationship with the U.S. Department of the Navy. Since 30 June 1834, the USMC has been a co-equal sister service to the United States Navy, benefiting from shared logistical support, training, and strategic planning. This symbiotic relationship is evident in the Marine Corps' operational presence; while it operates numerous installations on land worldwide, a significant portion of its power projection capabilities comes from its close integration with naval forces. Marine units routinely deploy aboard sea-going amphibious warfare ships, such as assault ships and transport docks, which serve as floating bases for launching complex amphibious assaults. Furthermore, several of the Marines' tactical aviation squadrons, notably Marine Fighter Attack squadrons, are seamlessly embedded within Navy carrier air wings. This allows Marine aviators and their aircraft, such as the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-35B Lightning II, to operate directly from the flight decks of Navy aircraft carriers, significantly extending their reach and striking power globally.

The Legacy and Evolution of the Marine Corps

The rich history of the Marine Corps dates back to 10 November 1775. On this foundational day, two battalions of Continental Marines were formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, establishing a service branch composed of infantry troops uniquely capable of fighting both at sea, aboard naval vessels, and on shore. This dual capability has remained a defining characteristic of the Corps throughout its existence.

A pivotal chapter in the Marine Corps' history unfolded during the Pacific theater of World War II. Here, the Corps spearheaded a massive and strategically vital campaign of amphibious warfare, employing the arduous "island-hopping" strategy. This involved a series of difficult assaults to seize heavily fortified islands from the Imperial Japanese forces, gradually advancing Allied lines across the vast Pacific Ocean towards the Japanese mainland. This campaign cemented the Marine Corps' reputation as the premier amphibious assault force.

As of 2017, the United States Marine Corps maintained a robust force posture with approximately 182,000 active duty members and some 38,500 personnel in the Marine Corps Reserve, ready to support and augment the active force when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About the USMC

What is the primary mission of the United States Marine Corps?
The primary mission of the USMC is to provide forces and detachments for service with the Navy, to seize and defend advanced naval bases, and to conduct land operations essential to the prosecution of a naval campaign. In essence, it is the nation's expeditionary force in readiness, designed for rapid global deployment and sustained operations from the sea.
How does the Marine Corps differ from the Army?
While both are land combat forces, the Marine Corps specializes in expeditionary and amphibious operations, often operating as the forward deployed element of the Navy-Marine Corps team. The Army typically focuses on sustained, large-scale ground combat operations and long-term land control. The USMC's force structure is designed for agility and rapid response, integrating air, ground, and logistics elements into self-sustaining Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs).
When was the United States Marine Corps founded?
The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, making it one of the oldest branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The 1887 Hawaiian Bayonet Constitution: A Shift in Power

The 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, infamously known as the "Bayonet Constitution," represents a dark and pivotal moment in Hawaiian history. This legal document was not a product of legislative consensus or popular will, but rather meticulously prepared by a well-organized group of anti-monarchists. This faction, primarily composed of American and European businessmen and planters residing in Hawaii, along with a select number of native Hawaiian elites who sought to diminish royal authority, harbored strong annexationist sentiments and desires for increased political influence and economic control.

The explicit objective of this constitution was to systematically strip the Hawaiian monarchy, then led by King Kalākaua, of a substantial portion of its executive authority and power. In doing so, it initiated a dramatic and coerced transfer of governmental power to the aforementioned American, European, and a minority of native Hawaiian elites, particularly those with significant land and business interests, especially in the burgeoning sugar industry.

The constitution earned its notorious moniker, the "Bayonet Constitution," due to the brutal and undeniable use of intimidation and coercion in its imposition. On July 6, 1887, King Kalākaua was confronted by an armed militia known as the Honolulu Rifles, a well-organized, predominantly white, volunteer military company that served as the enforcement arm of the anti-monarchist Hawaiian League. Under the explicit threat of being deposed or even facing physical harm from this armed force, King Kalākaua was effectively compelled to sign the constitution. This act drastically curtailed the monarch's power, transforming him from an absolute ruler into a mere figurehead, and disenfranchised many native Hawaiians by imposing strict property and literacy qualifications for voting and holding office, thereby consolidating political control in the hands of the foreign elite. This forced signing marked a significant step toward the eventual overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 and its subsequent annexation by the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bayonet Constitution

What was the Bayonet Constitution?
The Bayonet Constitution was a legal document imposed on the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1887, which significantly reduced the power of King Kalākaua and transferred political authority to a group of American, European, and some native Hawaiian elites, primarily those with business interests.
Why was it called the Bayonet Constitution?
It earned its name because King Kalākaua was forced to sign it under duress, threatened by an armed militia, the Honolulu Rifles, who used intimidation to ensure its ratification.
Who was King Kalākaua?
David Kalākaua was the last reigning king of the Hawaiian Kingdom, ruling from 1874 until his death in 1891. He was the monarch forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution in 1887.
What was the impact of the Bayonet Constitution on the Hawaiian monarchy?
The Bayonet Constitution severely curtailed the monarch's executive powers, stripped native Hawaiians of much of their voting rights, and established a legislature dominated by foreign residents. This weakening of the monarchy laid critical groundwork for its eventual overthrow in 1893 and the subsequent annexation of Hawaii by the United States.