The Scramble for the Pacific: Dividing Oceania

The Rise of Colonialism: How Europe Divided the World — Fexingo History · Sep 25, 2026 · 7m · transcript

While Berlin divided Africa and London carved India, a quieter but equally ruthless partition was underway in the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, we explore how European powers—primarily Britain, Germany, France, and later the United States—drew lines across the vast expanse of Moana Nui-a-Kiwa, often ignoring the complex political structures of Indigenous nations. We focus on the Kingdom of Hawaii, where King Kalākaua navigated a treacherous diplomatic minefield to maintain sovereignty amidst rising imperial appetites. The conversation examines the strategic importance of Pearl Harbor, the…