Kingdom of Tonga (1900–1970) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of Tonga
|
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900–1970 | |||||||||
.svg)
Location of the Kingdom of Tonga with present day borders shown.
|
|||||||||
| Status | Protected state of the United Kingdom | ||||||||
| Capital | Nuku'alofa | ||||||||
| Common languages | English Tongan |
||||||||
| Religion | Free Wesleyan Church | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary Semi-constitutional monarchy under a British protectorate | ||||||||
| Monarch | |||||||||
|
• 1900–1918
|
George Tupou II (first) | ||||||||
|
• 1965–1970
|
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV (last) | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
|
• 1900–1905
|
Siosateki Veikune (first) | ||||||||
|
• 1965–1970
|
Fatafehi Tu'ipelehake (last) | ||||||||
| Legislature | Legislative Assembly | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
|
• Treaty of Friendship
|
18 May 1900 | ||||||||
|
• End of protection status
|
4 June 1970 | ||||||||
| Currency | Tongan pound (1921–1967) Tongan paʻanga (1967–1970) |
||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | TO | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
The Kingdom of Tonga was a special country that was protected by the United Kingdom for 70 years. This protection lasted from 1900 until 1970. During this time, Tonga was still a kingdom, but the UK helped manage some of its important matters, especially with other countries.
Contents
Tonga's History as a Protected State
Becoming a British Protectorate
On May 18, 1900, Tonga became a "protected state" of the United Kingdom. This happened because European settlers and some Tongan chiefs were trying to remove the King, George Tupou II. The UK stepped in to help protect the King and Tonga's independence from other European countries, like Germany.
A special agreement called a Treaty of Friendship was signed. This treaty meant that the United Kingdom would handle Tonga's dealings with other countries. The British Consul, a representative from the UK, would manage Tonga's foreign affairs. The UK also had the power to say "no" to Tonga's foreign policies and money decisions.
Life During the Protectorate
For most of the 20th century, Tonga was a quiet place. It didn't have much contact with the rest of the world.
However, Tonga was affected by the 1918 flu pandemic. About 1,800 people in Tonga died from the flu. This was around eight percent of everyone living there at the time.
Tonga has a unique social structure. It's mainly divided into three groups:
- The King
- The nobles
- The commoners
There are also "Matapule," who are like "talking chiefs." They work with the King or a noble. Everyone in Tonga has duties and responsibilities to each other. Nobles help their people, and their people help them back. A person's status and rank are very important in their relationships, even within families.
End of the Protectorate Status
The agreement that made Tonga a protected state ended on June 4, 1970. This change was planned by Queen Salote Tupou III before she passed away in 1965.
Even after the protection ended, Tonga remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. This is a group of countries that were once part of the British Empire.
Images for kids
-
Tomb of King George Tupou I, 1900
-
Tomb of King George Tupou I, 1900
-
King George Tupou II going to the opening of the Tongan Parliament in 1900
-
Richard Seddon and his wife at the opening of the Tongan parliament, 1900
-
The royal throne of Tonga, 1900.
-
World War I memorial in Nukuʻalofa
-
Members of the Tonga Defence Force of the 2nd NZEF on parade in Tonga celebrating the capitulation of Italy in 1945
-
Bishop John Rodgers, Pīsila (wife of Lord Fusitu'a(Tevita Tu'iniua),full name Pisila Fotofili Fusitu’a) and Suli Seuli (matāpule of Fusitu'a) watching dancing. Inauguration of the Catholic church in Kolofo'ou. 1967
.jpg)
