Oceania 1914 CE

What is happening in Oceania in 1914CE

Colonial rule

In the last decades of the 19^th and the first decade of the 20^th centuries, all the Pacific islands fell under the control of foreign powers: Britain, France, Germany and the USA (Hawaii). The nature and impact of colonial control has varied enormously from island to island, ranging from very little (as on Tonga and Vanuatu, both under loose British protection), to catastrophic (New Caledonia, where the indigenous people are by now being largely confined to reservations). Some of the islands have experienced changes of rule, the result of decisions taken the other side of the world in European capitals.

Population changes

Many of these islands have seen major changes of population, as European settlers have arrived or indentured laborers from other Pacific islands, or from as far afield as India, have been brought in. On all the islands, Christianity has spread rapidly.

Independence

Both Australia and New Zealand have been made independent states within the British Empire.

Next map, Oceania in 1960

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European World Empires