What characterised British administration in the Pacific Islands?

British administration in the Pacific Islands was characterised by indirect rule, economic exploitation, and cultural imposition.

The British Empire's administration in the Pacific Islands was largely indirect, meaning that local leaders were kept in place and used to enforce British rule. This was a common strategy used by the British in many of their colonies, as it was less resource-intensive than direct rule and often led to less resistance from the local population. In the Pacific Islands, this meant that traditional chiefs and leaders were often co-opted into the colonial administration, acting as intermediaries between the British authorities and the local population.

Economic exploitation was another key characteristic of British administration in the Pacific Islands. The British established plantations, mines, and other enterprises to extract resources from the islands. These resources, which included copra, sugar, gold, and phosphate, were then exported to Britain and other parts of the Empire. The local population was often used as a source of cheap labour for these enterprises, with many Pacific Islanders being coerced or tricked into signing contracts that bound them to work for low wages and under harsh conditions.

Cultural imposition was also a significant aspect of British administration in the Pacific Islands. The British sought to 'civilise' the local population by imposing their own cultural norms and values. This often involved efforts to suppress local customs and traditions that were deemed 'primitive' or 'savage'. For example, many Pacific Islanders were encouraged or forced to convert to Christianity, and traditional practices such as tattooing and polygamy were often discouraged or outlawed. The British also introduced their own systems of education and justice, which were designed to instil British values and norms.

In summary, British administration in the Pacific Islands was characterised by a combination of indirect rule, economic exploitation, and cultural imposition. This approach was designed to maximise the economic benefits of colonialism for the British, while minimising the costs and potential resistance. However, it also had profound and often devastating impacts on the local population and their cultures.