Federated States of Micronesia Colonial Records

Spanish Colonization (16th century-1899 )
The Spanish established sovereignty in the 16th Century. The islands were sold to Germany in 1899 per the terms of the German-Spanish Treaty.

German Colonization (1899-1914)
Germany purchased the islands in 1899 from the Spanish. They were occupied by Japanese troops in September 1914. Officially passed to Japan as part of the Versailles Treaty in 1919.

Japan Colonization (1914-1947)
The Japanese occupied the islands in 1914. The United Nations created the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947 which included Micronesia.

United States Colonization (1947-1979)
Micronesia was included in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands created by the United Nations in 1947. The United States accepted the role of Trustee. Four of the Trust Territory districts ratified the Constitution of the Federal States of Micronesia on May 10, 1979. They still have Free Association with the United States.