American Samoa History

The history of American Samoa begins long before the first European contact, a Dutchman named Jacob Roggeveen (1659-1729). The first European explorer was Louis-Antone de Bougainville (1729-1811) from France, and he named the islands the "Navigator Islands" in 1768. It was not until the 1830's that English missionaries and traders began arriving, beginning with John Williams of the London Missionary Society. The Samoans ferociously battled the explorers and visitors, culminating in a battle at Massacre Bay that left them with the reputation of being savage and warlike. Despite the violent altercations between the native Somoans and the European visitors, American Samoa quickly became a refueling station for French, British, German, and American vessels.

Although the French and British were soon pushed out by the Germans and Americans, these international visitors shared the resources found in the Islands until 1889, when a German naval force invaded a village and in process destroyed some American property. This led to declarations of war, which was averted by a typhone that wrecked both countries' ships. The rivalry was settled in 1899 by the Tripartite Convention, which divided the islands into two parts: the eastern islands now known as American Samoa became a territory of America, and the Germans took the western islands.

The American refueling station became an official naval station when the United States began to formally occupy the territory. The Navy secured deeds of the land in 1900 (Cession of Tutuila) and 1904 (Cession of Manu'a). The area was officially renamed "American Samoa" in 1911. The Swain Island was annexed in 1925. The US Department of Interior attempted to incorporate American Somoa in 1949, but this was defeated by the efforts of Samoan chiefs (led by Tuiasosopo Mariota). These chiefs created a local legislature in Fagatogo, which is now considered the territory's captial (though the US lists Pago Pago as the capital because that is where they had the naval base). American Samoa's own consistution, confirming the status as self-governing, became effective in 1967. However, the UN lists American Somoa as a "Non-Self-Governing Territory", to which the local leaders protest and dispute. The Governor of American Samoa is the head of government, and is elected by popular vote for four year-terms.

People born in American Samoa are American nationals, but not American citizens unless a parent is a citizen. This means they have unrestricted entry into the United States, but cannot vote in presidential elections. They do have one non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives.