History of Fiji - 1820 To 1874

1820 To 1874

Date	Event
1822	European settlement begins at Levuka, Fiji's first modern town.
1830	The first Christian missionaries from Tahiti, Hatai, Arue and Tahaara, arrive at Lakeba, brought via Tonga by the London Missionary Society.
1835	Methodist missionaries, William Cross and David Cargill, arrive in Lakeba. They are accompanied by emissaries from Taufa'ahau the Tongan high chief and by Josua Mateinaniu, a Fijian from Vulaga who had been converted at Vava'u in 1834.
1840	First visit from an American exploring expedition commanded by Captain Charles Wilkes. 1845 Conversion of Ratu Ravisa (Varani), chief of Viwa, influenced by the ministry of Rev. John Hunt. Varani is the first significant Fijian missionary among the islands and a strong counter-cultural influence upon Ratu Seru Cakobau, preeminent among the warring chiefs of Fiji.
1847	Prince Enele Ma'afu of Tonga invades part of Lau, establishing himself in Lakeba by 1848.
1849	Trading store of United States Consul and settler John Brown Williams accidentally destroyed by stray cannon fire and subsequently looted by Fijian natives.
1851	First threatening visit from the United States Navy, demanding US$5,000 for Williams's losses.
1853	Warlord Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau installed as Vunivalu (Paramount Chief) of Bau, and claims the title of Tui Viti (King of Fiji).
1854	Cakobau converts to Christianity, influenced by the unifying features of Christianity, its obvious connections with the western world and the presence in Fiji of a Tongan army led by Taufa'ahau and Ma'afu.
1855	Cakobau crushes Rewa revolt. The leader of the revolt, Mara, is executed four years later. John Brown Williams's home is destroyed by arson. Visit from warship USS John Adams, demanding almost $44,000 compensation; seizes some islands as mortgage.
1858	Arrival of the first British Consul William Thomas Pritchard. Hostile visit from USS Vandalia. Cakobau offers to cede the islands to the United Kingdom for US$40,000.
1862	The United Kingdom refuses to annex Fiji, claiming to have ascertained from Cakobau's fellow-chiefs that he was not universally accepted as King of Fiji and that he did not have the authority to cede the islands.
1865	Confederacy of Fijian chiefs formed.
1867	Threats to shell Levuka from an American warship. Amid increasing unrest, Cakobau crowned King of Bau by European settlers.
1868	The Australian-based Polynesia Company acquires land near Suva, in return for promising to pay Cakobau's debts.
1871	Establishment of the Kingdom of Fiji as a constitutional monarchy, with Cakobau as King but with real power in the hands of a Cabinet and Legislature dominated by settlers from Australia.
1872	Lavish overspending saddles the new kingdom with debt. John Bates Thurston, a government official, approaches the United Kingdom on Cakobau's behalf with an offer to cede the islands.
1874	10 October - Fiji becomes a British colony.