Federated States of Micronesia - a brief history

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) comprises the four constituent states of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (formerly known as Truk) and Yap and forms part of the Caroline Islands group in the northern Pacific. Its people are divided among a dozen language groups and several cultural traditions. Linguistic evidence suggests ancestors of the present population came from the Philippines and Indonesia over 4,000 years ago.

Successive colonisers

The first Europeans to visit the islands were Portuguese explorers searching for the Spice Islands – in fact some distance away in the Indonesian archipelago. Spanish explorers followed, in 1525 and 1564, leading to Spanish colonisation which lasted until Germany purchased the islands from Spain and raised its own flag in 1899. The Germans are said to have established a lucrative copra trade but during their administration had to face and put down a rebellion on Pohnpei. At the start of World War I in 1914, Japan took control. It promoted economic development but excluded islanders from government and imposed the Japanese language.

Major military role for Chuuk

From 1935 Japan developed the island of Chuuk (then known as Truk) as a major military base. A significant portion of the Japanese fleet was based there and had a major role in the Pacific war against the United States. Finally, in 1944, a naval battle at Chuuk resulted in many Japanese vessels being destroyed. (Numbers of sunken ships resting on the seabed of the Chuuk Lagoon are still dramatically visible from the air.) By the end of World War II, the economy of the islands had been largely destroyed.

US Trusteeship and eventual independence

The islands now comprising the Federated States of Micronesia became part of the US trust Territory for the Pacific (TTPI), administered first by the US Navy and later by the US Department of the Interior.

Negotiations on constitutional arrangements were protracted and continued through the 1970s. Eventually agreement was reached with Washington on a Compact of Free Association. It was implemented in 1986 and the FSM then became an independent state in free association with the United States. Under the Compact, FSM has full responsibility for the country’s internal and external affairs, subject to the security interests of the United States.

The economy and financial support

Subsistence fishing and farming predominates in the FSM, although there is a little tourism and some revenue from the licensing of foreign fishing boats. Financial support from the United States is the primary source of revenue, and Washington has agreed that grants will continue until 2023.

Significant events since independence

1991 FSM admitted to United Nations

1993 Joins International Monetary Fund

2002 Compact of Free Association with USA renewed for further 20 years

2004 Island of Yap severely damaged by Typhoon Sudel

2011 FSM President Mori addresses UN on need for action to mitigate climate change;

- draws attention to 'ticking environmental time-bomb' – 32 million litres of oil in sunken warships lying in FSM waters for 70 years;

- describes FSM as 'one of earth's most vulnerable regions'.