Kingdom of Fiji
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2022) |
Kingdom of Fiji Viti | |||||||
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| 1871–1874 | |||||||
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| Motto: "Rerevaka na Kalou ka Doka na Tui" "Fear God and honour the King" | |||||||
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| Capital | Levuka | ||||||
| Common languages | Fijian | ||||||
| Government | Constitutional monarchy | ||||||
| Monarch | |||||||
• 1871–1874 | Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau | ||||||
| Premier | |||||||
• 1871–1872 | Sydney Charles Burt | ||||||
• 1872–1874 | George Austin Woods | ||||||
| History | |||||||
| 5 June 1871 | |||||||
• Annexed by the United Kingdom | 10 October 1874 | ||||||
| Currency | Fijian pound | ||||||
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| Today part of | Fiji | ||||||
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The Kingdom of Fiji, also known as the Kingdom of Viti, was a short-lived monarchy in Fiji. It existed from 1871 to 1874, with Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau as King.[1][2][3][4][5]
History
The Kingdom of Fiji was the first unified Fijian state, and it covered all of modern Fiji, except the island of
cabinet and legislature dominated by Australian settlers. The Legislative Assembly met for the first time in Levuka
in November 1871.
Within months, government overspending had led to the accumulation of unmanageable debt. In 1872, following continuing economic and social unrest, Thurston approached the British government, at Cakobau's request, with an offer to cede the islands. Two British commissioners were sent to Fiji to investigate the possibility of an annexation. The question was complicated by maneuverings for power between Cakobau and his old rival,
Queen of Fiji
.
See also
- Fiji during the time of Cakobau — earlier 19th century.
- Monarchy of Fiji
References
- ^ "Cakobau: the first (and last) king of Fiji". HistoryExtra. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "Cakobau, King of Fiji". British Museum. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-8248-6098-1.
- ISBN 978-0-8248-8001-9.
- ISBN 978-1-925021-18-9.
- S2CID 219626108.