History is often a fascinating picture, and the connection between Australia and Papua New Guinea is part of it. Australia is the only country in the world to monopolize the entire continent, with a vast territory of 7.692 million square kilometers, covering the Australian mainland, Tasmania, and surrounding islands and overseas territories. Historically, however, Australia has controlled a much wider territory, and from 1920 to 1975 it actually ruled Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is the second largest territorial country in Oceania, with a total area of 462,000 square kilometers, covering more than 600 large and small islands such as the eastern part of New Guinea Island, Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville. As the second largest island in the world, the island of New Guinea is located in the northern part of Australia, close to Southeast Asia, and belongs to two countries: Indonesia in the west and Papua New Guinea in the east. And this division of the situation stems from the historical origins of the colonial period.
The beginning of the Age of Discovery marked the exploration and expansion of the Asia-Pacific region by European colonists. The British controlled Australia, while the Dutch occupied large islands such as Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi, forming the Dutch East Indies Colony. Subsequently, the Dutch continued to expand eastward, controlling the western part of the island of New Guinea, while Britain and Germany each controlled the eastern part of the island, dividing the island into three.
However, the upheavals of the colonial era did not stop there. After the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Australia sent troops to take control of German New Guinea, ending German rule. Subsequently, the League of Nations officially handed over the eastern part of the island of New Guinea to Australia as an Australian Papuan territory. But in 1942, Papua New Guinea was occupied by Japan, and after World War II, Australia continued to control the area.
In the 70s of the 20th century, Papua New Guinea began to break out of the independence movement from Australia. In 1973, Australia allowed Papua New Guinea autonomy, and two years later, Papua New Guinea officially became independent. This historical story is like a picture scroll showing the historical changes under colonial rule, and it also bears witness to the desire of the Papua New Guinea people for independence.
The historical background of Papua New Guinea is worth mentioning, with a population of about 8 million, mainly Melanesians, but also Micronesians and Polynesians. These locals were oppressed under colonial rule, and their aspirations for independence were almost impossible to achieve at that time. Even after the end of World War I, the situation on the island of New Guinea did not change substantially.
After the end of World War II, the eastern and western parts of the island of New Guinea remained under different controls and were cut off from communication. Australia tightened its grip on the east, while Indonesia controlled the west, ultimately making the aspirations of the Papua New Guinean people for independence even stronger. Independence in 1975 was not only the liberation of Papua New Guinea, but also the end of colonial rule.
Today, looking back on this period of history, we can see the ups and downs and glories of the country's road to independence, the ups and downs that the people of Papua New Guinea have endured, and the efforts they have made to achieve independence. This history is not only a reminder of the stories of the past, but also a reflection of the complex relationships between different countries in the world today.
There are still few independent countries in Oceania, and many islands are still under the control of Britain and France. The independence of Papua New Guinea has become a unique and precious chapter in history that we will always remember. This period of history is like a picture scroll, showing us the complexity of the country, and also witnessing the determination and dedication of the people to fight for freedom.