Vision Fulfilled

A Brief History of Marianas

In 1898, from February 15^th to December 10^th, the Spanish-American War is fought. The United States of America acquires Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands for 20 million dollars. Cuba becomes independent.

In 1899, Germans purchase northern Marianas, Saipan, Yap, Caroline, and the Palau Islands from Spain. The Germans then set up Yap as a capital of Micronesia for fifteen years.

In 1914, during the outbreak of World War I, Austria, Germany, and Turkey fight against France, England, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States of America. Japan declares war on Germany on August 23^rd, 1914, and in the same year, Japanese marines capture Saipan without a fight on October 14^th. That brings the German rule to an end. Japan annexes the Micronesia Islands, and a military government is set up.

In 1918, World War I comes to an end on November 11^th. The League of Nations gives Japan the administering authority over Micronesia. Palau is made the capital of Micronesia by the Japanese government, including Saipan. Japan occupies the Islands for over thirty years. This excludes Guam; Guam was ceded to the United States by Spain in the 1898 Treaty of Paris and was briefly occupied by Japan during World War II. Today, the United States of America’s military bases take up roughly a third of its 212 square miles.