Gilbert and Ellice Islands

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Was a British protectorate originated in 1886 with the Anglo-German agreement that partitioned the "unclaimed" central Pacific. The Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1978, and the Gilbert Islands became part of Kiribati in 1979.

Establishment

April 1886: In 1886, an Anglo-German agreement partitioned the "unclaimed" central Pacific, leaving Nauru in the German sphere of influence, while Ocean Island and the future GEIC wound up in the British sphere of influence.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. World War II

Was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 (it started sooner in certain regions) between the Axis Powers (mainly Germany, Japan and Italy) and the Allies (mainly the Soviet Union, the U.S.A., the U.K., China and France). It was the war with more fatalities in history. The war in Asia began when Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. The war in Europe began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The war ended with the complete defeat of the Axis powers, which were occupied by the Allies.

1.1.World War II (Asia & Pacific)

Was the East Asian, South Asian and Pacific theatre of World War II.

1.1.1.Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign

Were a series of battles fought from August 1942 through February 1944, in the Pacific theatre of World War II between the United States and Japan.

December 1941: The Imperial Japanese Navy occupied the Gilbert Islands.

November 1943: Battle of Makin and Battle of Tarawa on the Gilbert Islands.

2. Further events (Unrelated to Any War)

October 1892: From 1892 the Gilbert and Ellice Islands were administered by the British Western Pacific Territories.

August 1936: Both the UK and the U.S. claimed sovereignty over the Canton and Enderbury Islands since the mid-19th century. The official British claim was formally reasserted on 6 August 1936, and in March 1937 the islands were attached to its Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.

January 1972: British Gilbert and Ellice Islands are administed separately from the British Western Pacific Territories.

Disestablishment

January 1976: In 1975, the Gilbert Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom and became the independent nation of Kiribati. The islands of Canton and Enderbury were transferred to Kiribati from the United States, marking the final step in the country's separation from colonial rule.

January 1976: In 1975, Tuvalu separated from the Gilbert Islands to become its own territory under British rule.