King Sru V abolishes formal class distinctions.

What happened

Under Awane Sru V, Kosrae formally gave up class distinctions and the elaborate etiquette that went with them. Habele links Kosrae’s political changes to missionaries’ efforts to introduce democratic ideals and to back leaders friendly to the church.

Why it matters

Following the 1869 council of commoners and the first elected king in 1874, it marked the end of Kosrae’s old chiefly order before colonial rule began.