Between the 16th and 20th centuries, Europeans (British and French) and later Americans colonized the Pacific islands. The colonizers were interested in the region ’ s natural resources (e.g. white sandalwood, pearls, sea-turtle shells, and seafood products), and for its strategic (military and trade) significance. The Allies and Japanese fought fiercely over the islands during World War II.
從 16 世紀直至 20 世紀中期，太平洋島群歷經了漫長的殖民，英、法等歐洲列強及隨後的美國，著眼的是當地的天然資源（如白檀、珍珠牡蠣、海龜殼、漁產）乃至海上貿易與軍事戰略的重要性；二次世界大戰期間，本區也是聯軍與日軍激烈交鋒之處。