I realize this question is oddly specific, but I can't find information on it anywhere. Of the four jurisdictions in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, why was the NMI the only one to hold a referendum on joining the United States? How popular was the US in these territories prior to independence? Additionally, why did Guam reject the integration of the NMI into its own political entity?
Most importantly, where can I find some further information on these subjects?
Thank you.
First thing to know is that Guam and CNMI are all the same people, same language and culture, you can literally see them from northern Guam. Guam rejected the deal (at least partially) because the League of Nations allowed Japan to keep NMI after WWI, and when Japan attacked Guam from there, they used the local population of Saipan as spies. This caused a tremendous amount of hate, since the Chamorros of Guam were victims of many war crimes (slavery, starvation, concetratinn camps, massacres) during this time.
Though these sentiments have died down with time and deaths, some of the survivors still feel animosity towards CNMI Chamorros.
There are other reasons though, like CNMI had a much poorer economy, and Guam had never even been allowed to vote for their own Governor at that point. The gubernatorial vote happened the year after Guams denial, and the issue of reunification was heavily tied to the fracturing political parties, ie a vote for reunification is a vote for whomever.)