In 1880, France formally annexed Tahiti, a significant event that transformed the governance of this Pacific island nation. Prior to annexation, Tahiti operated as an independent kingdom, enjoying a degree of sovereignty under the leadership of Queen Pomare IV. The French government's interests in Tahiti were driven by a desire to expand their colonial empire and to secure vital trade routes across the Pacific. The annexation was not without its complexities, as local resistance existed, and the political climate in Tahiti was fraught with tension between traditional rule and growing foreign influence.

Following the annexation, Tahiti was designated 'Etablissements de français de l'Océanie', translating to 'French Establishments of Oceania'. This act institutionalized French governance and aimed to enforce French culture and language on the local populace. The transition involved the introduction of colonial administration, changing the political landscape and diminishing the traditional powers held by the Tahitian monarchy. Educational and legal reforms were introduced, aligning local customs more closely with French colonial governance.

The annexation of Tahiti was part of a larger pattern of colonial expansion by France in Oceania. The conversion of the Kingdom of Tahiti into a French colony reflected the broader imperial ambitions of the late 19th century, where European powers competed for dominance in various parts of the world. As a result, Tahiti's rich cultural heritage began to evolve under French influence, impacting its societal structures and leading to complex interactions between French settlers and native Hawaiians.