Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands - Definition and Overview

The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia (western Pacific) administered by the United States from July 18, 1947, comprising the former League of Nations Mandate administered by Japan and taken by the U.S. in 1944. The U.S. ended its administration on November 3, 1986, although the UN only formally ended the trusteeship on December 22, 1990.

This area is now divided into four territories:

• The Republic of the Marshall Islands was established in 1979 and signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective October 21, 1986).
• The Federated States of Micronesia was established in 1979 and signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective November 3, 1986).
• The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands was set up in 1978 as a commonwealth in political union with the US.
• The Republic of Palau was established in 1981 and concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective October 1, 1994).