The arrival of Western civilization brought forth an avalanche of reform to Tahiti’s independent society. The established monarchy of Tahiti was lured and tricked by cunning political leaders from the West. Well-meaning Catholic and Protestant missionaries destroyed many of Tahiti’s traditional beliefs and cultural traditions and served as a front for France’s military. Outsiders introduced diseases to Tahitians for which they had no immunity. All of these factors contributed to the final exploitation of Tahiti by France, a revolution which caused the loss of Tahiti’s right of self-determination. I am a French admiral who is protecting the territory of French Polynesia from the British. I have just arrived from the islands of Nuku Hiva, another French colony in the pacific which I have annexed. And it is now August 1842. “After all France has done for Tahiti, I simply cannot understand why the native revolutionaries question our motives to help them. We have helped the natives revolutionize their way of life by eliminating human sacrifices, improving moral standards, eliminating heathen religions and infanticide. the Reverend George Prichard of the London Missionary Society recorded seeing natives killing their innocent babies within 15 minutes of its birth. In 1797,the Reverend George William Ellis dedicated much of his life to translate the bible in the Tahitian language, created a written language for them and destroyed their pagan worship of wooden gods. They should thank us for helping them and not fight against us. We have brought massive firearms and gunships to protect them against the British and other powers. If they know what is good for them, they should submit themselves to our authority so we can improve their standard of living and they will no longer be considered as heathens. They have so many natural resources such as sandalwood, fishing, whales; they could plant cotton, coffee, and sugar cane and become rich. All we want to do is raise our flag on their islands to show them that we will protect them. We are trying to revolutionize Tahiti so they can enjoy the same living standards as the rest of the civilized world.” The French have placed Queen Pomare IV under house arrest for failing to pay protection money to the French military. In reaction, she sought an audience to voice her concerns… “O ai mata to oe oa ia arii au no Tahiti I am queen Pomare IV. France has so many good excuses to help us but what are their true intentions? At this time the kind French government has had me confined to my bed. I have written many times to the French King Louis Phillipe demanding the restoration of our power and authority. I would like to share part of the letter with you… My sovereign power has been violated and my lands have been seized by armed forces because I have been accused of not regarding the treaty, which was written on the 7th day of November 1843. I strenuously protest against this harsh conduct of your admiral but I trust you with confidence in your compassion, your justice and your kindness towards me, a powerless sovereign, and that you will deliver me from my troubles. I ask of you that you may restore me the sovereign power and the government of my forefathers. We insist on keeping control of our lands and practicing our religions. Our treaties to the French have been disregarded and violated several times. The French have sent 500 troupes in our capital and hoisted their flag under the protection of their many guns. What right do they have to take possession of our country by force? The French wanted to control Tahiti because of its ideal location in the middle of the Pacific. It is an ideal port of call for all of the boats and ships traveling across the Pacific. But does that give them the right to take away our freedom? The French have no right to enslave our people. Tahiti is our original land and we have the right of self-determination. How can the rest of the world stand idly by while we suffer such injustice? Freedom and independence are our cry. The Catholics and the London Missionary Society played an important role in taking us over because they both insisted that I sign the decree of abdication. They both tried to change our lives by putting an end to all of our religions. As a result our traditional culture has started to crumble. Is this the beginning of the end of our traditions, culture and self identity? Their diseases almost killed us all. In July 1854, Tahiti was swept by an epidemic of measles complicated by outbreaks of dsyntery, influenza, tuberculosis, pneumonia, small pox, scarlet fever…thousands of us have died. Much of our culture, beliefs and ability to defend ourselves was lost due to these introduced diseases. France has also introduced alcohol to us, a clever ploy to poison our minds with worldly appetites and to weaken our ability to see what is really happening t
