Oceania History & Government

1. Oceania History & Government

2. Early People • Mostly unknown • Possibly came over from SE Asia on land bridge during the Ice Age • Made living by fishing • In Australia – Aborigines • Nomadic people • Hunted with boomerangs

3. Melanesia and Micronesia by 300 A.D., with larger boats and ships • Polynesia by 1000 A.D. • Antarctica not explored until 1820

4. Europeans • 1500’s – Spain and Portugal reaches South Pacific • 1600’s – Dutch discovered Australia and New Zealand • 1800’s – British colonized Australia and New Zealand • Initially used as a prison colony

5. Cpt. James Cook • From 1768 – 1779 Cpt. Cook mapped the South Pacific, claimed Australia for Great Britain

6. Govt. Today • Australia & New Zealand – parliamentary democracy – British monarch is still the Head of State. • South Pacific – democracies, some monarchs • American Samoa & Northern Marianas – governed by the U.S. • Some European colonies

7. Arts • Oral traditions • Easter Island – stone statues • Native arts – woodworking, bark painting

8. Lifestyles • Traditional – Pacific Islands • Subsistence farming (poor soil) • Low paying govt. jobs • European – Australia, NZ • Modern conveniences, malls, stadiums • Western clothing • Cities resemble European cities

9. Health and Education • Pacific Islands • Poor health – remote, fresh food scarce, not utilities • Australia • Flying Doctor Service • “schools of the air”