Who colonized the Republic of the Marshall Islands?

The Republic of the Marshall Islands was colonized by Spain in the 16th century, followed by Germany in the late 19th century. After World War I, the islands were administered by Japan under a League of Nations mandate. During World War II, the islands were occupied by the United States, which continued to administer them under a United Nations trusteeship until the Republic of the Marshall Islands gained independence in 1986.