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Solomon Islanders in World War II : an indigenous perspective / Anna Annie Kwai

Author
Kwai, Anna Annie
Published
Acton, ACT, Australia : Australian National University Press, [2017]
Copyright Date
©2017
Physical Description
1 online resource (xii, 135 pages) : illustrations, maps
Additional Creators
Australian National University Press
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Open Access Unrestricted online access
Contents
Introduction -- Islanders at War -- Why Support the Allies? -- Impacts of the War -- Monument-building and Nation-building -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1: Prime Minister Derek Sikua's letter of endorsement of the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Trust -- Appendix 2: Letter of recognition from President Barack Obama. and Introduction -- Islanders at War -- Why Support the Allies-- Impacts of the War -- Monument-building and Nationђ́ѵbuilding -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1: Prime Minister Derek Sikuађ́ةs letter of endorsement of the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Trust -- Appendix 2: Letter of recognition from President Barack Obama.
Summary
The Solomon Islands Campaign of World War II has been the subject of many published historical accounts. Most of these accounts present an 'outsider' perspective with limited reference to the contribution of indigenous Solomon Islanders as coastwatchers, scouts, carriers and labourers under the Royal Australian Navy and other Allied military units. Where islanders are mentioned, they are represented as 'loyal' helpers. The nature of local contributions in the war and their impact on islander perceptions are more complex than has been represented in these outsiders' perspectives. Islander encounters with white American troops enabled self-awareness of racial relationships and inequality under the colonial administration, which sparked struggles towards recognition and political autonomy that emerged in parts of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in the postwar period. Exploitation of postwar military infrastructure by the colonial administration laid the foundation for later sociopolitical upheaval experienced by the country. In the aftermath of the 1998 crisis, the supposed unity and pride that prevailed among islanders during the war has been seen as an avenue whereby different ethnic identities can be unified. This national unification process entailed the construction of the 'Pride of our Nation' monument that aims to restore the pride and identity of Solomon Islanders.
The Solomon Islands Campaign of World War II has been the subject of many published historical accounts. Most of these accounts present an ђ́بoutsiderђ́ة perspective with limited reference to the contribution of indigenous Solomon Islanders as coastwatchers, scouts, carriers and labourers under the Royal Australian Navy and other Allied military units. Where islanders are mentioned, they are represented as ђ́بloyalђ́ة helpers. The nature of local contributions in the war and their impact on islander perceptions are more complex than has been represented in these outsiderѕђ́ة perspectives. Islander encounters with white American troops enabled self-awareness of racial relationships and inequality under the colonial administration, which sparked struggles towards recognition and political autonomy that emerged in parts of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in the postwar period. Exploitation of postwar military infrastructure by the colonial administration laid the foundation for later sociopolitical upheaval experienced by the country. In the aftermath of the 1998 crisis, the supposed unity and pride that prevailed among islanders during the war has been seen as an avenue whereby different ethnic identities can be unified. This national unification process entailed the construction of the ђ́بPride of our Nationђ́ة monument that aims to restore the pride and identity of Solomon Islanders.
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Genre(s)
ISBN
9781760461669 (electronic bk.)
1760461660 (electronic bk.)
9781760461652 (paperback)
1760461652 (paperback)
Digital File Characteristics
data file
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 125-135).
View MARC record | catkey: 27977458