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Expanded History

History of Wallis and Futuna

From antiquity to the modern era — the historical eras, key events, and narrative that shaped Wallis and Futuna.

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Overview

Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. There are still three ceremonial kingdoms within the territory: Alo, Sigave, Wallis. The islands are volcanic in origin, with low hills, and fringing reefs.

Historical Eras

The major periods of {country}’s history at a glance.

  1. Polynesian Settlement

    1000 – 1616

    Wallis and Futuna were settled by Polynesian voyagers, with Futuna likely inhabited as early as the first millennium CE. The islands developed distinct chieftain-based societies organized into the kingdoms of Uvea (Wallis), Sigave, and Alo (Futuna), which maintained their own traditions, hierarchies, and inter-island relationships long before European contact.

  2. European Contact

    1616 – 1842

    Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jakob le Maire became the first Europeans to sight Futuna in 1616. British captain Samuel Wallis visited the island that bears his name in 1767. Catholic missionaries from the Society of Mary arrived in 1837, rapidly Christianizing the islands and laying the groundwork for French influence.

  3. French Protectorate

    1842 – 1924

    France declared protectorates over Wallis in 1887 and Futuna in 1888, placing both administratively under New Caledonia. The traditional kingdoms were retained as ceremonial structures under French oversight. In 1924 the islands were formally granted colonial status, though they remained subordinate to the New Caledonian administration.

  4. World War II & Transition

    1924 – 1961

    During World War II, the islands' strategic location led to the arrival of approximately 2,000 U.S. troops in 1942, who constructed infrastructure that transformed local society. In 1959, the inhabitants voted by referendum to become a French overseas territory, and by 1961 the islands were administratively separated from New Caledonia and granted their own distinct status.

  5. Overseas Territory

    1961 – present

    As a French overseas collectivity, Wallis and Futuna retains a unique governance structure combining French republican administration with three traditional Polynesian kingdoms — Uvea, Sigave, and Alo — whose customary chiefs hold recognized ceremonial authority. The territory remains one of France's smallest and most isolated Pacific possessions, heavily dependent on French subsidies and remittances from emigrants to New Caledonia.

Timeline Preview

The first 7 key events. View the full chronology on the timeline page.

  1. 1616

    Islands sighted by Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jakob le Maire.

    Islands sighted by Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jakob le Maire. Islands named Hoorn Islands.

  2. 1767

    Wallis visited by, named after British navgator Samuel Wallis.

    Wallis visited by, named after British navgator Samuel Wallis.

  3. 1887

    France declared protectorate over Wallis.

    France declared protectorate over Wallis.

  4. 1888

    Wallis and Futuna were placed administratively under New Caledonia

    Wallis and Futuna were placed administratively under New Caledonia

  5. 1888

    France declared protectorate over Futuna.

    France declared protectorate over Futuna.

  6. 1917

    Wallis and Futuna administratively placed under New Caledonia.

    Wallis and Futuna administratively placed under New Caledonia.

  7. 1924

    Islands granted status as a colony, still administratively under New Caledonia.

    Islands granted status as a colony, still administratively under New Caledonia.

View full timeline (10 events)
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