The History of Guam and Why It Is a US Territory - Research Paper Example

The History of Guam and Why It Is a US Territory The History of Guam and Why It Is a US Territory General Purpose: To informSpecific Purpose: To describe to my audience how Guam became a US territory. I. IntroductionA. Attention Getter: Do you know anything about the history of Guam? This island located in the Marianas Archipelago has its unique culture and history that can impress anyone.B. Credibility : There are many books aimed at covering the history of this island. I have selected the most credible sources to cover key points in Guam history and deliver them to you.C. Statement of Relevance: According to the official website of Guam, the history of the island dates back to 2000 B.C. when Chamorro people settled down there.

The island remained isolated till 16th century when waves of immigrants from all over the world started to move there. Migrants and colonizers altered the island and all their influences are written down in its history.D. Preview of Points:  Today Im here to explore Guams history in detail from the very beginning covering the most essential periods of its development. Now Guam is a US territory and there a need to investigate how this island happened to become it. [Transition: Let’s begin with the ancient History of Guam.]II. Body:A.

Native peoples of Guam1. Chamorro people were the first settlers on the island. According to Cunningham & Beaty (2001), they immigrated from Indonesia or Philippines to the Island and brought their culture and language with them. 2. Chamorro people made beautiful pottery and learned to cultivate rice for food (Cunningham & Beaty, 2001).3. Latte were «stone pillars» that served as a building material for Chamorro dwellings according to Cunningham & Beaty (2001). Today scientists pay specific attention to latte to learn more about Chamorro culture.4. Canoes were Chamorros main transport.

They built canoes using local woods and used them for travelling and fishing (Cunningham & Beaty, 2001).5. Social structure of Chamorros was rather simple; they had patriarchal culture, lived in villages which were ruled by local chiefs.[Transition: Now that we have covered ancient history of the Island its time to have a look at the changes brought by Spain to its society.]B. Spanish colonization1. March 6, 1521 was a special date for Chamorro peoples as they experienced the first encounter with the delegation of Ferdinand Magellanas mentioned by Rogers (1995).2. In 1565, Spain claimed that Guam was its territory and Spanish colonizers started to migrate to the island actively (Rogers, 1995). 3. Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores arrived to Guam in 1688 to civilize locals (Rogers, 1995).

His Jesuit missionaries brought Christianity, European trade and culture to the island.4. Epidemics and fights reduced the population of Chamorros from 200,000 to roughly 5,000 during Spanish reign on the island. 5. There are many signs of Spanish culture in contemporary Guam. Many buildings and art objects date back to the era of Spanish colonization.[Transition: If Guam was colonized by Spain for so long, it is interesting to explore how it became a US territory. Now we will learn more about this great change in islands history.]C. Guam as a US territory1.

June 21, 1898 was a decisive date in Guams history. The island became the territory of the USA according to the Treaty of Paris which was signed as a result of Spanish-American war. 2. During WWII, Guam was occupied by Japan and the USA lost its control over the territory of the island. 3. When the war was over, USA increased its influence on the territory of Guam. Guam Organic Act signed in 1950 declared Guam to be «organized territory of the USA» with its local government (Rogers, 1995).4.

There were several referendums held on the Island to determine its future as Guam had a right for self-determination (Ruffatto, 1993). Local people could choose whether they wanted to be with the USA or develop independently. 49% of voters expressed their will to stay together with the USA in 1982 as stated by Rogers (1988).5. Today Guam has very important function for the USA because it is strategically important location for US marines. [Transition to conclusion- Now that we have covered the most important periods of Guam history, it is time to make conclusions and revise everything being said today.]. III.

ConclusionI. Summary: Guam has a long history; it was ruled by local Chamorro peoples, colonized by Spain and occupied by Japan. It became a part of the USA not so long ago and this decision was confirmed by referendum in 1982. All in all, Guams history makes this place unique and outstanding.II. Clincher: I hope that youve enjoyed this presentation and now you know more facts about the history of Guam. Maybe, youll visit this place one day and experience its unique culture in life.   ReferencesCunningham, L. J., & Beaty, J. J. (2001).

 A history of Guam. Bess Press.Guam-OnLine.com. (November, 2001). Guam history and culture. Retrieved from http://www.guam-online.com/history/Rogers, R. F. (1995). Destinys landfall: A history of Guam. University of Hawaii Press.Rogers, R. F. (1988). Guams Quest for Political Identity. Pacific Studies, 12(1), 49-70.Ruffatto, P. (1993). US action in Micronesia as a norm of customary international law: The effectuation of the right to self-determination for Guam and other non-self-governing territories. Pac. Rim. L. & Poly J., 2, 377.