The Scramble for the Pacific: Dividing Oceania

The Rise of Colonialism: How Europe Divided the World — Fexingo History · Sep 27, 2026 · 6m · transcript

We often think of colonialism as a story written in European capitals, but the late nineteenth century saw a frantic rush to claim islands across the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, we look at how Germany, Britain, and France carved up the region, often ignoring the complex political structures that already existed there. We explore the annexation of New Guinea, the controversial partitioning of the Samoan archipelago, and the specific treaties that drew lines through waters thousands of miles from Europe. You will hear about King Kalākaua’s diplomatic efforts to keep Hawaii independent, the…