Chulalongkorn vs Kalakaua

Chulalongkorn reorganized Siam's provincial administration into a centralized system called Thesaphiban, replacing traditional semi-autonomous lords with appointed governors. This strengthened central control and modernized governance.

Chulalongkorn established the Ministry of Education to oversee a national school system, replacing traditional temple-based education. This laid the foundation for modern secular education in Siam.

Following the Franco-Siamese crisis, Chulalongkorn ceded Laos to France to avoid war. He later negotiated treaties with Britain and France that preserved Siam's independence by ceding peripheral territories.

Chulalongkorn inaugurated the first railway line in Siam, connecting Bangkok to Ayutthaya. This began the expansion of a national railway network that facilitated trade and administrative control.

King Chulalongkorn issued a decree abolishing slavery in Siam, freeing all slaves gradually over time. This reform ended centuries of bondage and aligned Siam with modern international norms.

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.