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BASIC INFORMATION The most popular theory of Micronesian history holds that the first settlers canoed here from the Philippines and Indonesia, pulling their outriggers up on the sands of Yap between 4000 and 2000 BC. Much later, voyagers from Melanesia worked their way from Kosrae to Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. Interestingly enough, no Micronesian people have legends telling of their life before they got to the islands. The early Micronesians had no metals and worked mainly in stone - many impressive carvings have been left by these cultures. They were also superb ocean navigators and had a rich oral history, which was largely destroyed by European invasion. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan sailed past Micronesia on his way around the world, and in the following decades the islands were used as a stopover by expeditions on their way to the Spice Islands. Because they were a bit low on European-style wealth, the islands didn't attract much attention during this period. It wasn't until 1817 that Europeans started to seriously chart Micronesia. British whalers started arriving in the 1800s, followed closely by American whalers. Not exactly the cream of society, the whaling crews often harassed and killed the islanders, with the islanders frequently replying in kind. Whalers brought venereal diseases, as well as other scourges like the flu and measles - in 1854 a smallpox epidemic killed 50% of Pohnpei's population. During the whaling period Kosrae's population dropped from 6000 to 300. Whalers were followed by Protestant missionaries, who imposed Western clothing, language and laws along with their religion. In 1899 Germany tried to catch up in the imperialist race by purchasing Micronesia from the Spanish. The Germans planned to make a mint from copra production. Micronesians were encouraged to plant coconuts and work for the new colonists - some were forcibly transported from their islands to the plantations, while communally-held land was appropriated and handed over to private investors. When WWI began, Germany fled Micronesia and the Japanese waltzed in. Japan developed the infrastructure and administration necessary to annexe Micronesia, and in 1920 the League of Nations gave it a mandate over the islands. The Japanese aimed to make Micronesia a mirror of their homeland, installing Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, geisha houses and public baths. Administrative centres became little Tokyos. Eventually Japanese outnumbered Micronesians, and the islands' social infrastructure became geared to their needs, with Micronesians treated as second-class citizens. Although Micronesia was largely a resource for the Japanese, the colonial power created a strong economy and a high level of agricultural activity. On 7 December 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, but it also took possession of Guam. It wasn't until February 1944 that the USA retaliated with an attack on Chuuk Lagoon, the Japanese fleet's most important base in the central Pacific. Over 200,000 tons of equipment was sunk over two days, and the USA neutralised the base. Fighting was heavy in Micronesia and surrounding islands over the coming months, with particularly long and brutal battles taking place in the Marianas, to the north, and Palau, to the west. The war destroyed almost all the infrastructure built by the Japanese, and a great many Micronesians were caught in the crossfire, although history tends to ignore them. When the war ended the occupation continued, with the Americans taking over from the Japanese. The US Navy took command of the islands and sealed them off to visitors - the Yanks had plans for Micronesia. The Marshall Islands in Micronesia's east were given the unhappy task of playing nuclear guinea pig. Between 1946 and 1958, 66 bombs were exploded over the islands, doing wonders for the Marshallese gene pool. In 1947, the UN set up a Trust Territory in the Pacific, taking in Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. The USA was given administrative rights over the islands, setting up a series of military bases and preventing anyone else from doing the same. Throughout this period Micronesia remained under US military control. Although America was supposed to prepare the Micronesians for self-government, they preferred a combination of neglect and increased dependency. The economy relied entirely on government services and money flowing from the USA, and had absolutely no industrial or agricultural basis. In 1965, America agreed to form a Congress of Micronesia - a body elected by islanders to determine the islands' future - but executive control remained with the US High Commissioner. And, just in case, the CIA bugged the Congress' offices. The arrival of a whole bunch of idealistic young Peace Corps volunteers in 1966 did nothing for the US cause. Although they were supposed to spread the word about the wonders of American society, they ended up educating the Micronesians about their legal and social rights, thereby sparking off serious moves towards independence. In July 1978, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap voted to share a constitution, and in May 1979 they became the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Under a 15-year compact signed with the USA in 1982, Micronesia agreed to let the US control its relations with other countries and maintain its exclusive military access to the islands. In turn, the US guaranteed annual funding. The compact was officially implemented in 1986. In 1991 the FSM was admitted to the United Nations. In 1997 president Bailey Olter suffered a stroke; he was replaced by his vice president, Jacob Nena. In May 1999 Leo Falcam was elected as president for a two year term. Recently, the Federated States of Micronesia have been exploring different forms of revenue raising as it is still heavly reliant on US money. Current sources of income are fishing fees, selling its internet domain name (.fm) to radio stations and Sakau (kava) crops. |
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