The history of Polynesia

According to archaeological evidence and comparative linguistic identity, experts believe that immigrants from Melanesia settled in central Polynesia about 3000-4000 years ago. It first migrated from Southeast Asia. Later, some of them moved to further Polynesia. Samoans may have settled in Maxas as early as 300 AD, and Samoans may have settled here in Resurrection Island as early as 400 AD. Hawaii is also inhabited by some sailors from Maxas, who migrated between 500- 1000 AD. Centuries later, explorers from society islands also came here. Society islands may be the original residence of Polynesians who finally settled in Cook Islands. One of the Marquesas Islands and society islands is the original residence of New Zealand islanders, who began to settle here before 1000 years ago. Polynesian language is widely used in the vast area of the Pacific Ocean, and they are closely related.

The contact between Polynesia and European culture began in the late period of the first decade of18th century, which completely changed the lifestyle of Polynesians. Spanish explorers who sought wealth and were keen to spread Christianity were the first Europeans to arrive in Polynesia. Alvaro de Mendana de Neira landed in Marquez Islands in 1595, while Pedro Fernandez de Quiros discovered Tuamotu Islands and northern Cook Islands in 1606. The Portuguese also arrived here soon. Abel J. Tasman discovered New Zealand in 1642, and then tonga islands. British and French exploration of Polynesia began in 1767, when Samuel Wallis, a British navigator, discovered Tahiti, while Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, a French navigator, also arrived in Tahiti, and he later discovered Samoa. Captain james cook, a British naval officer and explorer, sailed around the two main islands of New Zealand in 1769 and 1770, drew charts and then arrived in Tahiti. Kirk landed on the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 and named it the Sandwich Islands to show his respect for the Earl of Sandwich, the Secretary of the Navy. Almost all Polynesian islands resisted Europeans, but they were short-lived.

1898 The United States annexed Hawaii; The French annexed Marquesas and society islands in 1880; 1888 Chile claims sovereignty over Easter Island; Britain annexed New Zealand in 1840 and the Cook Islands in 190 1. Tonga has always maintained its status as an independent kingdom (but it has been protected by Britain since 1900). By the end of 19, all Polynesian islands were under the control of European powers and the United States. After World War I, the Pacific interests of Germany, the defeated country, were divided by the victorious country. Western Samoa gained independence in the 20th century (1962); 1929 American Samoa became a territory of the United States; 1959 Hawaii became the fiftieth state of the United States; 1947 New Zealand gained independence and became a member of the British Association; The Cook Islands is politically dependent on New Zealand; Marcos Islands, society islands and Tuamotu Islands are isomorphic to form French Polynesia (French overseas territory).

Colonists and Christian missionaries (especially the latter) instilled the western belief system and lifestyle into Polynesians, and at the same time successfully eradicated the local traditions and customs in Polynesia. Most traditional living habits are either replaced by western living habits or integrated with western living habits. Samoa and Tonga are two areas in all Polynesian islands where traditional culture has been preserved. In other places, the influence of western culture can be seen almost everywhere, especially in consumer goods.