The colonial partition of Papua New Guinea primarily involved the division of the region between different European powers in the late 19th century. An illustrative example is the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European powers, including Germany and Great Britain, laid down rules for the colonization of Africa and Oceania, leading to the eventual division of Papua New Guinea into different colonial territories.
Example: The Division Between Germany and Britain
In the 1880s, the northeastern part of New Guinea was claimed by Germany and became known as German New Guinea. Meanwhile, the southeastern region was claimed by Great Britain and was referred to as the British New Guinea. The two colonial powers governed these regions separately, with Germany focusing on commercial interests, including copra and rubber plantations, while Britain implemented a more direct administration, aiming to manage local affairs and encourage the settlement of new agricultural practices.
This division continued until World War I when Australia, as part of the British Empire, took control of German New Guinea after defeating German forces. Following the war, the League of Nations mandated the territory to Australia, turning it into a territory that was administered by Australia.
The Establishment of Papua New Guinea
Following World War II, the territories of British New Guinea and the former German New Guinea were amalgamated to form the modern state of Papua New Guinea in 1975. The colonial history, shaped by the interests, policies, and changes brought about by colonial rule, played a crucial role in the territorial and political structure of the nation as it exists today. The blending of these two distinct colonial legacies contributed to the diverse cultural, linguistic, and social fabric of Papua New Guinea, ultimately leading to its independence and formation as a nation.
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