France declares a protectorate over Tahiti and Tahuata (1842)

In 1842, Admiral Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars established French protectorate arrangements in the Pacific: acting independently of the French government, he convinced Queen Pōmare IV to accept a protectorate over Tahiti, and he obtained a declaration from the Marquesan chief Iotete recognizing French sovereignty over the southeastern Marquesas. These arrangements preceded later annexation of Tahiti by France.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Kingdom of Tahiti was a Polynesian monarchy founded by paramount chief Pōmare I, who, aided by British missionaries, traders, and European weaponry, unified Tahiti, Moʼorea, Tetiʻaroa, and Mehetiʻa. By 1842 the islands were ruled by Queen Pōmare IV. In that year Admiral Dupetit-Thouars returned to the Marquesas, commissioned by the government of King Louis Philippe to find a Pacific base for French traders and whalers.

Diplomatic Actions. In August 1842, Du Petit-Thouars landed in Tahiti, cultivating alliances with chiefs hostile to the Pōmare family. He convinced Queen Pōmare IV to accept a French protectorate, recognizing Tahitian sovereignty internally while France managed foreign relations. In the Marquesas, he secured a declaration from Iotete recognizing French sovereignty over the southeastern group.

Consequences. The 1842 arrangements were followed by further French consolidation. In September 1842, guerrilla warfare broke out in the Marquesas, killing 24 French sailors and two officers. In November 1843, Dupetit-Thouars again on his own initiative landed sailors on Tahiti and annexed it to France, announcing the annexation of the Kingdom of Pōmare on 6 November 1843 and installing Armand Joseph Bruat as governor.

People involved

Sources

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