Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox political party |
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| name = Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People |
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|native_name = Rassemblement démocratique des populations tahitiennes |
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| leader = [[Pouvanaa a Oopa]] |
| leader = [[Pouvanaa a Oopa]] |
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| foundation = {{Start date|1949|11|17}} |
| foundation = {{Start date|1949|11|17}} |
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| dissolution = 1963 |
| dissolution = 1963 |
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|newspaper = ''Te Aratai'' |
|newspaper = ''Te Aratai'' |
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|country=French Polynesia|ideology=[[Maohi]] [[minority politics]]}} |
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}} |
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The '''Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People''' ({{ |
The '''Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People''' ({{langx|fr|Rassemblement démocratique des populations tahitiennes}}, abbreviated '''RDPT''') was a [[political party]] in [[French Oceania]]/[[French Polynesia]]. The party was led by [[Pouvanaa a Oopa]]. |
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==Political profile== |
==Political profile== |
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Pouvanaa had been elected to the [[French National Assembly]] in 1949. After that victory, the 'Pouvanaa Committee' (formed by his Pouvanaa's supporters for the election campaign) and a group of ex-servicemen founded the RDPT on November 17, 1949. At the time of its foundation, the party proposed various political and social reforms in favour of the [[Maohi]] community, such as calling for [[land reform]], expanded access to education and employments in the public sector, strengthened social security. The party sought to increase the powers of the [[Assembly of French Polynesia|Territorial Assembly]], |
Pouvanaa had been elected to the [[French National Assembly]] in 1949. After that victory, the 'Pouvanaa Committee' (formed by his Pouvanaa's supporters for the election campaign) and a group of ex-servicemen founded the RDPT on November 17, 1949. At the time of its foundation, the party proposed various political and social reforms in favour of the [[Maohi]] community, such as calling for [[land reform]], expanded access to education and employments in the public sector, strengthened social security. The party sought to increase the powers of the [[Assembly of French Polynesia|Territorial Assembly]], achieving greater autonomy from metropolitan France.<ref name="cam">Denoon, Donald. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=gB9mHNE17jgC The Cambridge History of the Pacific Islanders]''. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press, 2004. pp. 339-340</ref><ref>Aldrich, Robert. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=jYh0AAAAMAAJ France and the South Pacific Since 1940]''. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993. p. 172</ref><ref name="p20">Regnault, Jean-Marc. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=V_JDJwgqtJ0C Pouvanaa a Oopa: victime de la raison d'état : les documents parlent]''. Tahiti: Editions de Tahiti, 2003. p. 20</ref> RDPT published a bulletin called ''Te Aratai''<ref name="p20"/> |
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The RDPT rapidly became widely popular amongst the Maohis. In particular it attracted support from poor rural populations. Pouvanaa retained his seat in the French National Assembly in the [[French legislative election |
The RDPT rapidly became widely popular amongst the Maohis. In particular it attracted support from poor rural populations. Pouvanaa retained his seat in the French National Assembly in the [[1951 French legislative election|1951]] and 1953 elections. RDPT leaders Dr. Florisson and [[Jean-Baptiste Céran-Jérusalémy]] became French Senator and [[French Union]] assemblyman, respectively.<ref name="cam"/> In the 1951 election, Pouvanaa had won with 70% of the votes in French Oceania.<ref>Kernahan, Mel. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=0p1_rvFlKNgC White Savages in the South Seas]''. London: Verso, 1995. p. 20</ref> The party won the January 18, 1953 Territorial Assembly election, winning 18 out of 25 seats. Notably, Pouvanaa did not get elected from the Papeete seat he contested.<ref name="p20"/> |
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Gradually RDPT was |
Gradually RDPT was radicalised. It began calling for Tahitian take-over of French- and Chinese-owned businesses, substituting French officials with Tahitians, return of Tahitian lands to Tahitians and substituting the [[French tricolour]] with flag used during the reign of [[Pomare IV|Queen Pomare]].<ref name="prol"/><ref>Aldrich, Robert/Connell, John. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=f-QrN1Zw-M4C France's Overseas Frontier: Départements Et Territoires D'outre-mer]''. Cambridge University Press, 1992. p. 219</ref> |
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==Political confrontations== |
==Political confrontations== |
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However, running the regional government became increasingly difficult for the party. The RDPT sought to build a national economy through the introduction of an [[income tax]] scheme, to prepare the islands for independence. The French government had become increasingly bothered by the influence of RDPT, and the local Governor |
However, running the regional government became increasingly difficult for the party. The RDPT sought to build a national economy through the introduction of an [[income tax]] scheme, to prepare the islands for independence. The French government had become increasingly bothered by the influence of RDPT, and the local Governor conspire against the RDPT government. Protests against the RDPT government were mobilized by the urban opposition, the Chinese community and in particular the French business community. Moreover rivalry between Pouvanaa and Céran had reached a critical point at the time of the [[1958 French constitutional referendum|1958 referendum]], and Céran was expelled. Céran's followers founded a rival party, [[Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People-Aratai|RDPT-''Aratai'']].<ref name="cam"/><ref name="prol">Finney, Ben R. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ubjIwBFtjJsC Tahiti: Polynesians Peasants and Proletariats]''. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers, 2007. pp. 23-24</ref> |
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==Pouvanaa jailed== |
==Pouvanaa jailed== |
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Pouvanaa campaigned for independence in the 1958 referendum. After the referendum, Pouvanaa was arrested. He was accused of plotting a revolutionary uprising, by setting the capital [[Papeete]] on fire. He was subsequently sentenced to eight years in jail, and another 15 years of banishment from French Polynesia. Pouvanaa's supporters consistently claimed that he had been framed.<ref name="prol"/><ref>Kernahan, Mel. ''[ |
Pouvanaa campaigned for independence in the 1958 referendum. After the referendum, Pouvanaa was arrested. He was accused of plotting a revolutionary uprising, by setting the capital [[Papeete]] on fire. He was subsequently sentenced to eight years in jail, and another 15 years of banishment from French Polynesia. Pouvanaa's supporters consistently claimed that he had been framed.<ref name="prol"/><ref>Kernahan, Mel. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=0p1_rvFlKNgC White Savages in the South Seas]''. London: Verso, 1995. p. 25</ref> |
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In 1960 Pouvanaa a Oopa's son, [[Marcel Oopa]], was elected to the French National Assembly as a RDPT candidate. He died in 1961, and his seat was temporarily filled by [[John Teariki]].<ref>http://archives.assemblee-nationale.fr/1/cri/1960-1961-droit/042.pdf</ref> In the [[French legislative election |
In 1960 Pouvanaa a Oopa's son, [[Marcel Oopa]], was elected to the French National Assembly as a RDPT candidate. He died in 1961, and his seat was temporarily filled by [[John Teariki]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.assemblee-nationale.fr/1/cri/1960-1961-droit/042.pdf |title=JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE |publisher= |date=19 July 1961 |access-date=22 March 2022}}</ref> In the [[1962 French legislative election|1962 National Assembly election]], RDPT candidate John Teariki was elected from French Polynesia. Territorial Assembly elections were held the same year. With 14 out of 30 seats, RDPT retained its position as the largest party in the Assembly albeit their number of seats had decreased. After the election RDPT formed a coalition government.<ref name="cam2">Denoon, Donald. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=gB9mHNE17jgC The Cambridge History of the Pacific Islanders]''. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press, 2004. p. 342</ref> |
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==Nuclear test and ban== |
==Nuclear test and ban== |
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Once it became publicly known that France intended to [[French nuclear tests|conduct tests of Nuclear bombs in French Polynesia]], the RDPT was |
Once it became publicly known that France intended to [[French nuclear tests|conduct tests of Nuclear bombs in French Polynesia]], the RDPT was radicalised. Not only the party oppose the testing programme, it also revived its campaign for Polynesian autonomy. In 1963, President [[Charles de Gaulle]] issued a ban on the party, invoking a law that enabled outlawing political organizations that threatened French 'national integrity'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-324628850/view?sectionId=nla.obj-333778176 |title=TWO POLITICAL PARTIES BANNED IN TAHITI |work=Pacific Islands Monthly |volume=34 |issue=5 |page=13 |date=1 December 1963 |access-date=14 July 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The decision was motivated by a message from Pouvanaa to RDPT from jail, which had called on the party on advocate full independence.<ref name="cam2"/> |
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In 1965 elected representatives of RDPT formed a new party (with Teariki at its helm), [[Here Ai'a]].<ref name="cam2"/> |
In 1965 elected representatives of RDPT formed a new party (with Teariki at its helm), [[Here Ai'a]].<ref name="cam2"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Political parties in French Polynesia]] |
[[Category:Political parties in French Polynesia]] |
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[[Category:Political parties established in 1949]] |
[[Category:Political parties established in 1949]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Political parties disestablished in 1963]] |
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[[fr:Rassemblement des populations tahitiennes]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:49, 1 November 2024
Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People Rassemblement démocratique des populations tahitiennes | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Pouvanaa a Oopa |
| Founded | November 17, 1949 |
| Dissolved | 1963 |
| Newspaper | Te Aratai |
| Ideology | Maohi minority politics |
The Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People (French: Rassemblement démocratique des populations tahitiennes, abbreviated RDPT) was a political party in French Oceania/French Polynesia. The party was led by Pouvanaa a Oopa.
Political profile
[edit]Pouvanaa had been elected to the French National Assembly in 1949. After that victory, the 'Pouvanaa Committee' (formed by his Pouvanaa's supporters for the election campaign) and a group of ex-servicemen founded the RDPT on November 17, 1949. At the time of its foundation, the party proposed various political and social reforms in favour of the Maohi community, such as calling for land reform, expanded access to education and employments in the public sector, strengthened social security. The party sought to increase the powers of the Territorial Assembly, achieving greater autonomy from metropolitan France.[1][2][3] RDPT published a bulletin called Te Aratai[3]
The RDPT rapidly became widely popular amongst the Maohis. In particular it attracted support from poor rural populations. Pouvanaa retained his seat in the French National Assembly in the 1951 and 1953 elections. RDPT leaders Dr. Florisson and Jean-Baptiste Céran-Jérusalémy became French Senator and French Union assemblyman, respectively.[1] In the 1951 election, Pouvanaa had won with 70% of the votes in French Oceania.[4] The party won the January 18, 1953 Territorial Assembly election, winning 18 out of 25 seats. Notably, Pouvanaa did not get elected from the Papeete seat he contested.[3]
Gradually RDPT was radicalised. It began calling for Tahitian take-over of French- and Chinese-owned businesses, substituting French officials with Tahitians, return of Tahitian lands to Tahitians and substituting the French tricolour with flag used during the reign of Queen Pomare.[5][6]
Political confrontations
[edit]However, running the regional government became increasingly difficult for the party. The RDPT sought to build a national economy through the introduction of an income tax scheme, to prepare the islands for independence. The French government had become increasingly bothered by the influence of RDPT, and the local Governor conspire against the RDPT government. Protests against the RDPT government were mobilized by the urban opposition, the Chinese community and in particular the French business community. Moreover rivalry between Pouvanaa and Céran had reached a critical point at the time of the 1958 referendum, and Céran was expelled. Céran's followers founded a rival party, RDPT-Aratai.[1][5]
Pouvanaa jailed
[edit]Pouvanaa campaigned for independence in the 1958 referendum. After the referendum, Pouvanaa was arrested. He was accused of plotting a revolutionary uprising, by setting the capital Papeete on fire. He was subsequently sentenced to eight years in jail, and another 15 years of banishment from French Polynesia. Pouvanaa's supporters consistently claimed that he had been framed.[5][7]
In 1960 Pouvanaa a Oopa's son, Marcel Oopa, was elected to the French National Assembly as a RDPT candidate. He died in 1961, and his seat was temporarily filled by John Teariki.[8] In the 1962 National Assembly election, RDPT candidate John Teariki was elected from French Polynesia. Territorial Assembly elections were held the same year. With 14 out of 30 seats, RDPT retained its position as the largest party in the Assembly albeit their number of seats had decreased. After the election RDPT formed a coalition government.[9]
Nuclear test and ban
[edit]Once it became publicly known that France intended to conduct tests of Nuclear bombs in French Polynesia, the RDPT was radicalised. Not only the party oppose the testing programme, it also revived its campaign for Polynesian autonomy. In 1963, President Charles de Gaulle issued a ban on the party, invoking a law that enabled outlawing political organizations that threatened French 'national integrity'.[10] The decision was motivated by a message from Pouvanaa to RDPT from jail, which had called on the party on advocate full independence.[9]
In 1965 elected representatives of RDPT formed a new party (with Teariki at its helm), Here Ai'a.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Denoon, Donald. The Cambridge History of the Pacific Islanders. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press, 2004. pp. 339-340
- ^ Aldrich, Robert. France and the South Pacific Since 1940. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993. p. 172
- ^ a b c Regnault, Jean-Marc. Pouvanaa a Oopa: victime de la raison d'état : les documents parlent. Tahiti: Editions de Tahiti, 2003. p. 20
- ^ Kernahan, Mel. White Savages in the South Seas. London: Verso, 1995. p. 20
- ^ a b c Finney, Ben R. Tahiti: Polynesians Peasants and Proletariats. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers, 2007. pp. 23-24
- ^ Aldrich, Robert/Connell, John. France's Overseas Frontier: Départements Et Territoires D'outre-mer. Cambridge University Press, 1992. p. 219
- ^ Kernahan, Mel. White Savages in the South Seas. London: Verso, 1995. p. 25
- ^ "JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE" (PDF). 19 July 1961. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ a b c Denoon, Donald. The Cambridge History of the Pacific Islanders. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press, 2004. p. 342
- ^ "TWO POLITICAL PARTIES BANNED IN TAHITI". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 34, no. 5. 1 December 1963. p. 13. Retrieved 14 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.