Kalakaua vs Vajiravudh

David Kalākaua was elected king by the Hawaiian legislature after the death of King Lunalilo. His election sparked a riot by supporters of Queen Emma, which was suppressed by American and British troops.

Kalākaua signed a reciprocity treaty with the United States that eliminated tariffs on Hawaiian sugar and other products. In exchange, the US gained exclusive rights to use Pearl Harbor as a naval base, increasing American influence.

Kalākaua became the first monarch to circumnavigate the globe, traveling to the United States, Europe, and Asia. He sought to strengthen diplomatic ties, promote Hawaiian culture, and recruit immigrants to work on sugar plantations.

Kalākaua completed the construction of ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu, the only royal palace in the United States. The palace was equipped with modern amenities like electricity and telephones, symbolizing Hawaiian modernization.

Kalākaua was forced by a group of American and European businessmen, backed by the Honolulu Rifles militia, to sign a new constitution. The Bayonet Constitution stripped the monarchy of power, gave voting rights only to wealthy landowners, and favored foreign interests.

Kalākaua died in San Francisco while on a diplomatic trip to the United States. His death was attributed to Bright's disease (kidney failure). He was the last reigning king of Hawaii.

Vajiravudh, as King Rama VI, promoted a strong sense of Thai nationalism through speeches, writings, and policies. He emphasized loyalty to the nation, religion, and monarchy. His nationalism was aimed at unifying the country and resisting Western colonial influence.

Vajiravudh established the Wild Tiger Corps, a paramilitary organization loyal to the king. The corps was intended to counterbalance the regular army and promote royalist sentiment. It was controversial and seen as a tool to consolidate personal power.

Vajiravudh introduced the use of surnames for all Thai citizens, a reform modeled on Western practices. The law required every family to adopt a surname, which helped in administrative record-keeping and promoted a sense of family identity.

Vajiravudh founded Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's first university, named after his father. The university was established to modernize education and train civil servants. It became a leading institution for higher education in Thailand.

Vajiravudh enacted the Compulsory Education Act, requiring all children to attend primary school. The reform aimed to increase literacy and create a more educated populace. It laid the foundation for Thailand's modern education system.