French Polynesia is a group of islands in the South Pacific, including five archipelagos: the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Tuamotu Islands, and the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Tetiaroa, Raiatea, Tahoa, Huahine, Bora-Bora, and Maupiti).
The first European sailors to reach this part of the world were Spanish (Alvaro Mendana de Neira [1541— 1595] reached the Marquesas in 1595) and Portuguese (Pedro Fernandez de Quiros [1565-1615] reached Tuamotu in 1605), though neither initial ventures led to imperial control in these areas. The rekindling of important shipping expeditions in the Pacific over the eighteenth century (particularly Samuel Wallis [1728-1795] in 1767 and James Cook [1728-1779] between 1769 and 1777 for Britain; Louis-Antoine de Bougainville [1729-1811] in 1768 and Jean-Francois de La Perouse [1741-1788] in 1786 for France) sharply increased interest in these areas, while also sharpening Anglo-French colonial rivalries.
Initially, Britain held the advantage, as English Protestant missionary groups gained favor with the Pomare dynasty (1762-1880), which reigned over Tahiti and the surrounding islands of Moorea, Tuamotu, Mehetia, Tubai, and Raivave. However, the London Missionary Society was never able to induce London to establish a British protectorate in the region.
In contrast, France’s search for ports and prestige led to annexation of the Marquesas and the establishment of a protectorate in 1842. The same occurred in Tahiti at the request of the Queen Pomare IV (1813-1877). A protectorate agreement by the French recognized the sovereignty of the Marquesas and Tahiti states and the authority of the local chiefs.
Although the British instigated local rebellions, French influence prevailed over the next six decades, leaving a lasting impact in the region. After the abdication of King Pomare V (1839-1891) on June 29, 1880, France seized the opportunity to annex Tahiti, and then the Gambier Islands the following year, the “Islands-Under-the-Wind” (Raiatea, Tahoa, Huahine, Bora-Bora, and Maupiti) between 1888 and 1897, and the Austral Islands in 1902. These different archipelagos then took the name of “French Settlement of Oceania” until 1957, when they became French Polynesia.
As with many French colonies, inhabitants of these islands have expressed a desire for autonomy since World War II. In 1946, with the new French constitution, the islands became a French overseas territory. Since 2003, they have been an internally autonomous overseas collectivity.
