Vanuatu Decolonisation and the Coconut War - Essay Example

VANUATU DECOLONISATION (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) Introduction The political environment between the 18th and 19th Century was occasioned by series of colonisation, uprisings, and agreements and striking of deals. The reigning superpowers during these times such as the Britain, France, and Germany among other powers often colonized several countries in the world. The processes of colonisation were either by a single power or a union or combination of two powers that came together to colonize a single territory. History confirms that several territories fell into the hands of such a grouping and combination of colonial powers1. Nevertheless, the colonized countries fought their way into independence which exists up to present day. New Hebrides stands out as one of the regions that fell under the colony of the reigning superpowers during the 19thg Century. These islands (presently referred to as Vanuatu islands came under the dominion of a condominium formed between France and Britain (UK). The colonisation period, however, ended in 1980 paving the way for the independence of the country. Several occasions and events have been used to explain the decolonisation of Vanuatu. Most of them converge to 1980 which marks the year during which Vanuatu achieved her independence2. This article intends to focus on the Coconut War as one of the means and events which led to the independence of Vanuatu. This war brought together several powers that ultimate agreed to grant the country’s independence. The study seeks to focus on the contribution of this even towards the decolonisation of Vanuatu. Also, the research intends to identify the motive behind the creation, use and production of the primary sources of information about this historical event3. The Coconut War The New Hebrides Islands stand out as examples of regions which came under colonisation by the ruling world superpowers. During the 80s and 90s, the heavy powers across the world used their might to bring several territories and countries under their control. Most of the countries which were dominated by the ruling powers had relatively inferior soldiers, resources, and administrative structure. Also, some of them, just like New Hebrides, had a lot of precious natural resources which the colonial powers scrambled to exploit. This, therefore, explains why they stood out as preferred regions that attracted the colonial powers4. New Hebrides (Vanuatu) came under the control of two major powers. These include France and Britain (UK). The condominium formed between the two powers centred on taking control of the administration of the region, exploiting the natural resources and using the readily available slave power to run their investments and farms. The two powers came to an agreement which saw them settle on a common base, an agreement on colonisation and common policies to take advantage of the existing wealth within Vanuatu5. During this period, the inhabitants of Vanuatu came under suppression and forced action of the two ruling powers. The structure of the government was also owned, controlled and directed by both France and Britain operatives. In the year 1980, the two ruling powers came under a common agreement to grant independence to Vanuatu. The agreed date for this event was 30th July 1980. This announcement made the inhabitants form uprisings and several movements through which they would achieve their independence. One of such successful uprisings formed was the Nagriamel Movement6. The leader of this movement was Jimmy Stevens. The sole purpose of this movement was to defend the rights and freedoms of the ordinary citizens, agitate for inclusions, and fight for the protection of the wealth and diversity of the inhabitants and to also agitate for the independence. In the month of June, within in the same year, the uprising came out more prominently to fight for independence. The first uprising to be lodged by Nagriamel Movement was in June 1980 against the colonial powers. The reason for this uprising was to force the colonizing authorities to surrender and leave Vanuatu under the hands of the natives7. The uprising that lasted for 12 weeks was strongly backed by Phoenix Foundation and French-speaking landowners. Several properties came under destruction during the uprising including Santo-Pekoa International Airport and bridges. One of the most crucial events which led to the Coconut war was on 8th June 1980. The government elect of Vanuatu sought assistance from Both France and British administration to send their military troops to quell the rebellion that was ongoing at Espiritu Santo. This request was however met with hostility by France. Consequently, the French administration refused their counterparts (Britain) from realising their troop[s to quell the crisis. This denial and lack of action by the French soldiers stationed on the island compelled Walter Lin (Prime Minister Elect) to seek for external intervention8. Papua New Guinea was sought by Walter to help by intervening into the escalating rebellion on the island. The Papua New Guinea administration granted the request and decided to send their soldiers to Espiritu Santo. The trooping in of the New Guinea soldiers into the regions led to the coining of the name “Coconut War” which referred to the events ongoing in Vanuatu. Therefore, the clash between the rebels of Espiritu Santo and the Papua New Guinea soldiers attracted the name ‘Coconut War.' The soldiers received the warm reception by the residents of Espiritu Santo because they were fellow Melanesians. The rebels of Espiritu Santo were faced in a cruel war which ended up in casualties. The rebels led by Steven fought against the Papua New Guinea Soldiers. The war came to a stop when Steve’s son was killed in the war9. This led to his surrender and arrest. Vanuatu was a region which was under the dominion of both France and Britain. The process of decolonisation, therefore, implied that the colonizing forces had to leave the territory. The residents and natives of Vanuatu had to use their abilities to seek for self-governance and leadership. Primary and Secondary sources of Coconut War Christopher Plant, New Hebrides: The Road to Independence This source stands out as one of the basic secondary sources of information. It’s a written book regarding the various events and activities which New Hebrides went through in pursuit of their independent. One fundamental aspect of this source regards its combinations of various factors and reasons which led to the instigation and further culmination of the war. The author skilful draws a chronologically draws a figure of the major events which occurred from the start to the end of the war. The table of events drawn starts from 1971-1976 covering the major events which took place during the war. The pattern taken by the author of this book intends at shedding more light regarding the Coconut War. It majorly builds on the political environment of Vanuatu, the essence of the growing political temperatures and the creation of various demands by the natives of this country. Also, the author borrows from various primary sources to come up with the actual issues which shaped the war especially in determining the role of both France and Britain in Vanuatu10. However, this book fails to capture the events which transpired in 1980 such as the actual uprising that led to the Coconut War. The only things regarded in the war include the events which built the political framework within the war. However, it fails to capture the small details of the war. Consequently, its information is short of the exact description of the Coconut war and the specific items of the war11. Nevertheless, the writer points out the establishment of various political parties in Vanuatu, the establishment of legal policies, the path through which the inhabitations of New Hebrides followed towards their independence including the Coconut War as well as the establishment of the legal policies within the country. Helen Gardner, ‘Praying for Independence: The Presbyterian Church in the Decolonisation of Vanuatu’ This book stands ours as one of the primary sources detailing the decolonisation of Vanuatu. One of the greatest fundamental which confers the ‘primary’ attributes to the book relates to its manner of usage of the primary information and factual information. The establishment of churches within Vanuatu contributed significantly towards the decolonisation12. Some of the issues of relevance captured in this publication include the advent of churches such as Presbyterian Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) among many others that brought the gospel to the regions. Several European countries accepted and received the gospel preached and spread by various Christian denominations during this period. This was the case with Vanuatu. The gospels of peaceful coexistence grace and morality occupied a central position of many Christians within Vanuatu. This led to the persuasion of several people turning their back against strife and upheavals. The country received the admonitions of several Christian groups which especially aimed at spreading the gospel message within the entire country. Testimonies and factual reference of many Christian societies made the book a primary source detailing the events and the culmination of decolonisation period. Coconut war became of the issues addressed in this book and the role of the church towards advocating for unity and castigating the colonial practices such as slavery, forceful labour, and exploitation of the resources of the locals13. Motives for the creation of primary sources: Primary sources refer to the various with a first-hand touch of the information under study. They reveal the pragmatic course of events since they have a first-hand feel of the manner in which the events transpired. The explanation of the Vanuatu decolonisation has integrated the use of primary sources. The following are some of the motives begin the establishment, use, and production of the primary sources. For the purpose of information accuracy The accuracy of information is one of the greatest aspects regarding the historical facts and figures. Since these events pertain to events which transpired in the past, it easy for such events to be inaccurately reported by the secondary sources. Secondary sources normally borrow from options, analysis, and perspectives of various people regarding and event or subject of study. Historical facts such as `the decolonisation of Vanuatu’, requires the initial establishment of real and facts to avoid any inaccurate reporting14. Most of the secondary sources are normally prone to inaccuracy depending on the perspective, opinions and the views of an individual. Therefore, the information contained within such sources is less reliable as compared to those of the primary sources. Therefore, primary sources have been considered as significant, important and accurate in the manner of presentation of historical facts. This, therefore, explains the motive behind the increased production and use of the primary source of information. For posterity purposes Historical information and facts are some of the essential within the study of the world history. In many cases, people tend to preserve the basic facts and information for future reference and consideration. In these cases, the kind of information intended to serve future purposes need to be accurate, true and devoid of distortion15. The production and keeping of primary sources of information remain as an integral step towards the realization of posterity motive. The primary source of historical information normally carries the facts and figures in their real state. The documentation of eye-witness accounts and the specific people involved within a process or the happening of an event is normally different from documents of a third party analysis. In the former case, the information remains accurate and able to be stored for future processes of analysis or integrations. Scholars rely on the primary sources of information to enable them to derive the actual information relevant t or their research. Conclusion This paper focused on the events which led to the decolonisation of Vanuatu. The specific event under consideration in this article relates to the Coconut War. The war led to the surrender and evacuation of Vanuatu by both France and Britain powers. The war saw the residents of Vanuatu engage in various uprising and activities intended at granting them their freedom and rights. Therefore, the colonial powers left in the year 1980 to officially grant independence to Vanuatu. This, therefore, opened the beginning of decolonisation of Vanuatu. Vanuatu exemplifies a region which fought for liberty and independence through the collective bargains and participation of the public. The use of uprisings to seek and demand for liberty and changes remains as one of the common practices, especially in the 19th Century. For example, several countries in Eastern Europe employed this strategy in 1989 to advocate for their liberty and freedom. The rise in agitation for freedom spread to the entire region forcing the rise of the uprisings and movements considered in this study. Also, this paper focused on the various sources primary and secondary sources relevant in the decolonisation of Vanuatu. Several sources of information continue to provide various perspectives of the decolonisation of Vanuatu. Some of the primary and secondary sources in existence today, however, offer diversionary information or varied perspectives regarding the actual events that led to decolonisation. Therefore, the two sources considered in this paper concern both primary and secondary sources which also offer relevant information regarding the chosen Coconut War. Further the study looked at some of the motives behind the use and the production of secondary sources as a vital tool towards historical perseveration. Bibliography Borofsky, R. Remembrance of Pacific Pasts: An Invitation to Remake History. University of Hawaii Press, 2000. Gardner, H. "Praying for independence: the Presbyterian church in the decolonisation of Vanuatu." The Journal of Pacific History 48, no. 2 (2013): 122-143. Howe, R. A Century of Influence: The Australian Student Christian Movement, 1896-1996. UNSW Press, 2009. Jackson, A. L. "Towards Political Awareness in the New Hebrides." The Journal of Pacific History 7 (1972): 155-62 Macdonald, B. "Decolonisation and beyond: The framework for post‐colonial relationships in Oceania." The Journal of Pacific History 21, no. 3 1986: 115-126. Mar, T. B. Decolonisation and the Pacific: Indigenous Globalisation and the Ends of Empire. Cambridge University Press, 2016. Plant, C. (ed.). New Hebrides, the Road to independence. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific, 1977. Prior, R. 25 Tingting: Reflections on 25 Years of Independence in Vanuatu. Wattle Park, Vic: Gospel Vanuatu Books, 2010. Van Trease, H. "Colonial origins of Vanuatu politics." s.-i van Trease, Howard (red), Melanesian Politics. Stael Blong Vanuatu. Christchurch: Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury 1995. Van Trease, H. The politics of land in Vanuatu: from colony to independence. 1987, 127-168. Read More