Snapshot of Guam: Part 2 History

The Mariana Islands have been inhabited by Chamorro peoples for over 4,000 years and

originated from separate migration voyages. Guams first settlers likely arrived from the

Philippines, Indonesia and early Lapita settlers in the Bismarck Archipelago. When Europeans first arrived on Guam, Chamoru society roughly fell into three classes: matao (upperclass), achaot (middle class), and mana'chang (lower class). The mataolived in the coastal villages, which meant they had the best access to fishing grounds while the mana'chang lived in the interior of the island. Matao and mana'chang rarely communicated with each other, and matao often used achaot as a go-between. Chamorros used shamans and herb doctors to heal and procure medicine. Guam natives believed in island ancestors called Taotao Mona, which still persists in myth and folklore today among the deeply cultural Chamorros. These skilled watermen built a fast sailing “sakman” vessel that was used for trading with other islands of Micronesia. Guam is known for their monolithic structures called latte stones (pronounced "latti-e"), remains of which are found throughout the archipelago. Latte was used to form the foundation of buildings of significance in Chamorro society, such as the guma’ uritao (men’s house) and the homes of high-ranking families, especially village chiefs. Latte structures are believed to have absorbed the shock of earthquakes and typhoons, common in the region, and did not decay along with the wooden and thatched Chamorro structures, thus representing strength and endurance in the Mariana Islands. Elevated homes kept free of ground insects, wild boar and the high tide. The stones consist of a head and a base etched out of limestone and carried to the assembly area by an elaborate system of ropes and logs.

Spanish Era (1668 – 1898)

The Marianas also have the dubious distinction of being the first islands encountered

by Europeans. Magellan landed on Guam in 1521 and was met by islanders in canoes gliding over the water. He named Guam “Island of Sails”. Spain officially colonized Guam in 1668. Guam became a stop on the Manila Galleon route (between Acapulco, Mexico and the Philippines), adapting the Chamorro peoples to a blended culture influenced by Christianity, Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines. Guam became an important mission for the Spanish Catholic Church and established the first Catholic mission on Guam in 1668. The Spanish built bases and churches across the island. Ruins of their stone walls, strategic lookouts and weapon silos can still be seen around the island. The church Magellan built in Malesso village is currently being restored, along with its bell tower across the street. Guam remained a Spanish colony until the Spanish-American War.

U.S. Naval Era (1898 – 1941)

In 1898 Guam was ceded to the United States following the Spanish defeat in the Spanish-American War. The rest of the archipelago, now called the Northern Mariana Islands, Spain sold to Germany. Years later, German control in the Northern Marianas ended abruptly with the outbreak of World War I. In October 1914 the Japanese navy took possession of the Northern Marianas and the rest of Micronesia. Japan’s authority for this seizure was based on several secret agreements with the British designed to keep the peace in Asia in the event of war. After World War I, Japan received the Northern Marianas by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, and then later as a mandate under the League of Nations on December 17, 1920. The United States, which continued to hold Guam, recognized this mandate on February 11, 1922. The Navy governed the island, modernizing infrastructure, building schools and introducing...