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How Samoa became American

1 Samoa is a beautiful island nation located in the south-central region of the Pacific Ocean. The cluster of islands gained its independence in 1962, after sixty-three years of being a German territory; yet today, it is a territory of the United States. In fact, it is referred to as American Samoa. Despite being 2,200 miles from Hawaii, the closest part of the United States of America, Samoa still became an unincorporated territory of the U.S. in 1899.

2 Samoa was originally settled by the Polynesian people (likely from Tonga) in 1000 BCE. Polynesian people were expert explorers, making their way to Hawaii and parts of what we now call South America throughout their history. But in 1772, a Dutch explorer by the name of Jacob Roggeveen first found Samoa and reported back to Europe. Many nations soon followed, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and more.

3 By 1887, the U.S. had also made its way to Samoa. They strong-armed the Samoans into signing a treaty to create a naval base in Pago Pago Harbor, the capital of Tutuila Island, one of the largest natural harbors in the world. A decade after the treaty, the U.S. illegally invaded Hawaii, another Polynesian nation. This set the tone for future interactions with Polynesian nations. In 1899, colonial powers split Samoa into territories; Germany took the western part, and the U.S. controlled the eastern islands. At that time, the Indigenous people had yet to cede their own power.

4 Through the 1900s, many changes took place in Samoa. Until 1951, the United States Naval Station Tutuila ruled the island nation. Indigenous people didn't have a say in the development of their own land. In 1951, the U.S. Department of the Interior took over the governance of American Samoa and appointed Through the 1900s, many changes took place in Samoa. Until 1951, the United States Naval Station Tutuila ruled the island nation. Indigenous people didn’t have a say in the development of their own land. In 1951, the U.S. Department of the Interior took over the governance of American Samoa and appointed a governor from the U.S., still not in consultation with the Indigenous population. The governor, a man by the name of Phelps Phelps, made further appointments without consulting the locals. This meant having an entire government that was not elected by the people, which violates one of the central tenets of U.S. democracy.

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The Polynesian people advocated for themselves until 1977 when they achieved the right to vote for their own governor, though they still had no representation in the House of Representatives, not until 1981. Until that time, they were allowed to send a non-voting representative. Since then, there have been very few changes in Samoan governance. Even if people are born in American Samoa, they are born American Nationals, not citizens.There are many arguments for the people of Samoa to become American citizens, as well as for them not to. The main arguments against citizenship have to do with the Samoan way of life, known to the Samoan people as fa’asamoa. This way of life drives local chiefs to run communally held lands and utilize extended families to build the social structure. If they become U.S. citizens, the laws pertaining to land ownership may be challenged, and as we see in current day Hawaii, that can lead to losing protected lands and ousting Indigenous people. That would be devastating.

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Why are people born on American soil not considered American citizens? The reason has to do with their unincorporated status. At the end of the Spanish American War, the U.S. government created ‘unincorporated territories’ to prevent ‘uncivilized races’ from becoming too dangerous by granting them citizenship. While the laws were built in xenophobia and hatred, they still remain today.

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Without American citizenship, American Samoans face many obstacles and restrictions. They have to receive special permission to travel to places that American citizens never have to think about. Despite being born under an American flag, they are treated like anyone else born outside the United States. They can be drafted into military service, yet they cannot vote on any of these orders that affect them. While there are paths to citizenship, they often involve having to join the military. Is it really to force people to risk their lives before recognizing their right to citizenship?

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Many American Samoan families have begun to sue for citizenship. While people remain on both sides of the argument, no one yet knows what the future will hold.

1 answer

How Samoa Became American

Overview

Samoa, a stunning island nation located in the south-central Pacific Ocean, has a complex history that led to its current status as American Samoa. Gaining independence in 1962 after being a German colony for 63 years, the eastern part of Samoa became an unincorporated territory of the United States in 1899. Despite its significant distance from Hawaii, the closest U.S. territory, Samoa's political fate was sealed through colonial ambitions and geopolitical maneuvering.

Early History and Colonization

  1. Polynesian Settlement: The Polynesian people, likely originating from Tonga, settled Samoa around 1000 BCE. Renowned for their navigational skills, the Polynesians traversed vast oceanic distances, eventually reaching Hawaii and areas that comprise modern-day South America.

  2. European Discovery: The European encounter with Samoa began in 1772 when Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen arrived. This sparked interest from several colonial powers, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.

  3. U.S. Interests: By 1887, the United States had established a presence in Samoa, compelling local leaders to sign a treaty allowing the U.S. to create a naval base in Pago Pago Harbor, a strategically important location. This set the stage for future U.S. actions in the Pacific, particularly the illegal annexation of Hawaii in 1898.

  4. Colonial Division: The culmination of colonial ambitions occurred in 1899 when Samoan territory was divided. Germany obtained control of the western islands (present-day Samoa), while the eastern islands fell under U.S. control, marking a significant loss of autonomy for the Indigenous population.

Governance and Autonomy

  1. U.S. Military Rule: For much of the early 20th century, the U.S. Naval Station Tutuila governed American Samoa. Indigenous inhabitants had little to no input in the governance or development of their land until 1951, when the U.S. Department of the Interior assumed control and appointed a governor who continued to act without local consultation.

  2. Political Developments: The struggle for political rights persisted until 1977, when Samoans gained the right to vote for their own governor. However, full representation in the U.S. Congress remained elusive until 1981, when a non-voting delegate was allowed. Notably, individuals born in American Samoa are classified as American Nationals rather than citizens.

  3. Cultural Implications of Citizenship: The debate surrounding citizenship is intertwined with the preservation of the Samoan way of life, known as fa’asamoa. The chiefdom system and communal land ownership are central to Samoan identity, raising concerns that U.S. citizenship could threaten these traditions and land protections.

Status as an Unincorporated Territory

  1. Legal Status: The classification of American Samoa as an unincorporated territory means its residents do not automatically inherit U.S. citizenship, a status historically rooted in xenophobic attitudes at the end of the Spanish-American War. Despite attempts to address this injustice, the legal framework remains largely unchanged.

  2. Challenges Faced: American Samoans encounter various difficulties, such as restrictions on travel that U.S. citizens do not face. They can be drafted for military service but do not have voting rights on related matters. While paths to citizenship exist, they often necessitate military service, which raises ethical questions regarding the treatment of American Samoans.

Current Developments

  1. Calls for Change: Amid growing legal challenges, many American Samoan families are suing for citizenship. The population remains divided on the issue, highlighting a complex interplay between national identity, cultural preservation, and rights as U.S. citizens.

Conclusion

The story of how Samoa became American reflects broader themes of colonialism, cultural preservation, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. As American Samoans continue to navigate their unique identity within the framework of U.S. governance, the future remains uncertain, yet ripe with potential for change.