Vanuatu's Turbulent History

Blackbirding devastated Vanuatu's male population in the 19th century, leading to significant demographic changes. The unique joint control by France and Britain created a chaotic legal environment known as the "pandemonium." World War II brought further transformation, as the Vanuatu Labor Corps inspired the enduring John Frum movement, centered on the belief in a returning figure who would deliver cargo from the skies.