When France surrendered, in 1940, the French colonies each decided whether or not they accepted the surrender or not, essentially choosing between the Vichy Pétain government or the free French, under De Gaulle. read more
A decree unites French possessions in eastern Polynesia under a single administration titled Les Etablissements Français de l'Océanie (French Settlements in Oceania). During the Year The colony's representative General Council is suppressed in favor of an Administrative Council after refusing to approve export duties on vanilla and copra. read more
Numerous events had to occur for World War II to formally and finally end with the ceremonies in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Operation Bobcat in French Polynesia contributed to the successes in the Pacific. The Pacific is vast. The war was brutal. read more