The theory admitted
henceforth generally situates in the Southeast of Asia the origin of the
migrations having dragged the population of the Pacific by the Polynesian
populations.
The first European visitors only arrive timidly to the 16th century with the
Spanish as Mendena, in 1595, to the islands Marchioness, then Quiros, in 1605,
that crosses the archipelago of the Tuamotus.
Later, the English will play an essential role in the discovery of the
Polynesian islands, as Wallis that disembarks to Tahiti in 1767. He will be
followed by Bougainville in 1768, then by the Captain James Cook who will stop
several times in Tahiti as well as in the Islands Under the wind, the Southern
and the Marchioness of 1769 to 1777. Other historic date: 1789 with the mutiny
of the Bounty.
When these Europeans arrive toward the end of the 18th century, Tahiti is
divided then in districts, governed each by a chief. Toward 1797, one of the
chiefs affirms its supremacy and create the dynasty of the POMARE, Pomare 1st,
that will die in 1803.
Whereas the French and the English delivered themselves to this time to a war of
influence in the conquest of the Pacific, the Protestant religion imposes itself
progressively. In 1847, the Queen Pomare IV, until then rebel, accept the
Protectorate of the French government for Tahiti and Moorea. 1865 announce the
arrival of the first Chinese. In 1880: King Pomare V accepts the annexation of
Tahiti and its dependences (the Marchioness, the Leeward Islands (Under the wind), the
archipelago of the Gambiers and the one of the Southern) by France. All these
territories are unified in 1903 under the name of French Establishments of
Oceania (EFO).
The French Polynesia became a French Territory of Overseas that depends of the
French Republic. This statute of OVERSEAS TERRITORY (defined in 1946), had to be
temporary and considered like a step toward the independence. However, it lasted
while evolving with the passing of the reforms. Thus, the political statute of
1977 confers to Polynesia an internal management autonomy, that was, then,
increased in 1984 and in 1990. In 1996, with the definitive stop of the nuclear
tests, France grants a financial counterpart in Polynesia (for ten years). In
2004: The French Polynesia becomes Country of French Overseas .
Le TOM'S statute (or POM) is made of it to bring closer the notion of
"federalism". Indeed, the French state only exercises functions of national
sovereignty on the territory, functions that limit themselves to the outside
relations, to the control of immigration, to the management of the currency, to
the outside trade, to the defense and to the maintenance of the order.
It is represented there by a high commissioner. The local business are, them,
managed by a territorial Assembly and a President elected to the universal
suffrage that elaborates the laws of the territory and designate the local
ministerial. The territory also votes its budget but, Paris remains the main
financial backer and benefit thus from a strong indirect control power. However,
Tahiti longs more and more for its independence.
Religious aspect: the approximate distribution of the religions is : Protests
(54%), Catholics (30%), other (10%), atheistic (6%).
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