The Japanese Navy occupies the German Marianas, Carolines and Marshalls and interns German officials.

What happened

Japan acted under its alliance with Britain once the First World War began. A naval squadron took the islands without serious resistance, interned German officials and businessmen, and later shipped them home. The squadron commander set up a military administration.

Why it matters

It ended German rule and began about three decades of Japanese rule over the islands of today’s FSM.