Abbas I vs Liliuokalani

Abbas I created a standing army of ghulams (military slaves) recruited from Christian subjects in the Caucasus, particularly Georgians and Armenians. This reduced reliance on the Qizilbash tribal forces, increased royal control, and modernized the military with firearms and artillery.

Abbas I moved the Safavid capital from Qazvin to Isfahan, transforming it into a magnificent city with grand architecture, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Shah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. This relocation became a symbol of Safavid power and cultural flourishing.

Abbas I sent diplomatic missions to European courts, including those of Philip III of Spain, Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire, and Elizabeth I of England, seeking alliances against the Ottoman Empire. These missions opened sustained diplomatic and commercial exchanges between Safavid Persia and Europe.

Abbas I defeated an Ottoman army near Sufiyan, securing Safavid control over Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. This victory was part of the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1603-1618, which resulted in the recapture of Tabriz, Nakhchivan, and Yerevan from Ottoman occupation.

Abbas I, with support from the English East India Company, captured the island of Hormuz from Portuguese control. This ended Portuguese dominance in the Persian Gulf and opened direct trade routes for Safavid Persia with Europe, boosting the silk trade.

Abbas I captured Baghdad from the Ottoman Empire after a siege, restoring Safavid control over Iraq. This victory expanded Safavid territory and gave Abbas control over important Shi'a pilgrimage sites like Najaf and Karbala.

Liliuokalani composed the song 'Aloha Oe' while still a princess. The song became a symbol of Hawaiian culture and identity, and is one of the most famous Hawaiian songs worldwide.

Liliuokalani became Queen of Hawaii on 29 January 1891, following the death of her brother King Kalakaua. She was the first and only queen regnant of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Liliuokalani attempted to replace the Bayonet Constitution of 1887 with a new constitution that would restore power to the monarchy and native Hawaiians. This move triggered a coup by American and European businessmen, who overthrew the monarchy.

On 17 January 1893, a group of American and European businessmen, supported by U.S. Minister John L. Stevens and U.S. Marines, overthrew Liliuokalani. She yielded under protest to avoid bloodshed, ending the Hawaiian monarchy.

In 1895, Liliuokalani was implicated in a failed counter-rebellion by royalists seeking to restore the monarchy. She was arrested, tried for treason, and forced to abdicate. She was imprisoned in Iolani Palace for eight months.