Territory of Papua facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Territory of Papua
1883-1975
Flag Badge
Green: Territory of Papua Light green: Queensland (annexed Papua in 1883) Dark grey: Other British possessions
Status	Queensland dependency (1883–1884) British protectorate (1884–1888) British colony (1888–1902) Australian external territory (1902–1975)
Capital	Port Moresby
Common languages	English (official), Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu (native lingua franca), many Austronesian languages, Papuan languages
Monarch
• 1883-1901	Queen Victoria
• 1952-1975	Elizabeth II
Lieutenant-Governor
• 1884-1885	Peter Scratchley
• 1908-1940	Hubert Murray
• 1945-1949	Jack Keith Murray
Legislature	Legislative council House of Assembly
History
• Annexation by Queensland	1883
• Colonization	6 November 1883
• Union with New Guinea	1975
Currency	Australian Pound
Succeeded by Territory of Papua and New Guinea

The Territory of Papua was a part of the island of New Guinea. It covered the southeastern quarter of the island. This territory existed from 1883 to 1975.

In 1883, the government of Queensland (a part of Australia) claimed this land for the British Empire. The main British government did not agree at first. However, in 1884, they declared it a Protectorate. This meant Britain would protect the area. It was then called "British New Guinea."

The exact date Britain fully took over is a bit unclear. But it was officially accepted around September 4, 1888. Later, on March 18, 1902, the territory came under the control of Australia. Australia officially named it Papua in 1906.

In 1949, Papua joined with the Territory of New Guinea. They formed an administrative union called the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. This union was later renamed Papua New Guinea in 1971. Even though they were joined, Papua kept its own legal identity. It was a "Possession of the Crown" (meaning it belonged to the British monarch). New Guinea was a "trust territory" managed by the United Nations. This difference lasted until Papua New Guinea became an independent country in 1975.

Papua formed the southern half of what is now the country of Papua New Guinea. Its capital was Port Moresby. This city then became the capital of the independent nation.

History of Papua's Control

The British flag being raised in 1883 after Queensland claimed the southern part of New Guinea.

Early History of New Guinea

People have lived on New Guinea for at least 60,000 years. These Melanesian people developed stone tools and farming methods. European explorers first reached New Guinea in the early 1500s. A Portuguese navigator named Jorge de Meneses found the island in 1526–27. He called it "Papua."

In 1545, a Spanish explorer, Íñigo Ortiz de Retez, named the island "New Guinea." He thought the people looked like those on the African Guinea coast. For many centuries, Europeans knew very little about the island's inner areas.

How Papua Became British

In 1883, Sir Thomas McIlwraith, the leader of Queensland, wanted to claim New Guinea. He sent Henry Chester to Port Moresby to do this for Britain. Chester made the official announcement on April 4, 1883. But the British government did not approve this action right away.

On November 6, 1884, the territory became a British protectorate. This happened after the Australian colonies promised to help pay for it. On September 4, 1888, Britain officially took over the area. It was then called British New Guinea.

The northern part of modern Papua New Guinea was controlled by Germany from 1884. It was known as Kaiser-Wilhelmsland. In 1902, Papua was given to the new British dominion of Australia. The area was officially renamed the Territory of Papua in 1905. Australia formally took control in 1906.

When World War I started in 1914, Australia captured Kaiser-Wilhelmsland from Germany. This was made official by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Papua During World War II

Australian troops at Milne Bay, Papua. The Australian army was the first to defeat Japanese land forces during World War II at the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942.

Soon after the Pacific War began, Japan invaded the island of New Guinea. Papua was the least affected part. Most of Western New Guinea (then called Dutch New Guinea) was taken over. Large parts of the Territory of New Guinea were also occupied. But Papua was mostly safe due to its southern location. The very tall Owen Stanley Ranges to the north also helped protect it.

During the war, the normal government was stopped. Both Papua and New Guinea were put under martial law. This meant the military was in charge.

The New Guinea campaign started with battles in the Territory of New Guinea in 1942. The Japanese captured Rabaul, the capital of the Territory. They used it as a major base. From there, they moved towards Port Moresby and Australia. The Japanese tried to capture Port Moresby by sea, but the U.S. Navy and Australian navy stopped them in the Battle of the Coral Sea. So, the Japanese tried a land attack from the north, along the Kokoda Track.

From July 1942, Australian soldiers fought hard against the Japanese attack. Many of these soldiers were very young and not fully trained. They fought in the tough Owen Stanley Ranges. These soldiers were tired and had many injuries. But with help from Papuan porters and medical helpers, they held out. In late August, regular Australian troops arrived to help.

In early September 1942, Japanese marines attacked a Royal Australian Air Force base at Milne Bay in Papua. The Australian Army pushed them back. The Battle of Milne Bay was the first time Japanese land forces were completely defeated in World War II.

The fighting in Papua and New Guinea continued until Japan surrendered in 1945.

Joining with New Guinea and Independence

After the war, the Papua and New Guinea Act 1949 joined the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea. They became the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. However, they still had different legal statuses for Australian citizenship. The Act created a Legislative Council in 1951. It also set up a court system, a public service, and local governments.

Under Australian Minister Andrew Peacock, the territory gained self-government in 1972. On September 15, 1975, the Territory became the independent nation of Papua New Guinea.

See also

In Spanish: Territorio de Papúa para niños