Far East Kingdoms

Kingdom of Samoa (Polynesia) (Oceania)

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Considered in some quarters to be a watery continent in its own right, Oceania starts where South-East Asia ends, to the south-east of Indonesia and East Timor. Its territory is somewhat debatable but generally consists of the waters of the Pacific Ocean dotted with some two thousand islands, some of which are independent states and others either parts of countries or colonies.

Today's Samoa is part of Polynesia. The archipelago upon which it sits is located to the north-east of Fiji. Samoa's people played a pivotal role in Polynesian migration. Evidence of Lapita pottery which has been found on 'Upolu indicates that Polynesians, probably from Tonga, first arrived in Samoa around 1000 BC.

The Dutch were the first Europeans to find Samoa, spotting 'Upolu Island in 1722. Other Europeans and Americans followed until, in 1839, the Americans established a consulate in Apia. Various European nations followed suit. The European interest in the islands prompted New Zealand to urge British annexation of them, but Britain was not so inclined. By then several Samoan chiefdoms existed, including Manu'a, Savai'i, and 'Upolu.

The Samoans formed a centralised 'Samoan Kingdom' in 1873, choosing unity as a response to the increasing European interest in the islands. The kingdom was jointly protected from 1889 by imperial Prussia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Then in 1900 Germany annexed it (except part of it which became American Samoa). This was in response to a Samoan peition to Queen Victoria to become a British colony. Instead it initiated a period which can be labelled under the heading 'Colonial Samoa' during which German controls would be removed during the First World War.

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(Information by John De Cleene and the John De Cleene Archive, with additional information from Ancient History of the Hawaiian People to the Times of Kamehameha I, Abraham Fornander (Mutual Publishing Company, 1996, and originally published as An Account of the Polynesian Race: Its Origins and Migrations, Vol II), from Beyond the Blue Horizon (National Geographic, March 2008), from National Geographic Atlas of the World, 7th Ed (National Geographic Society, 1999), from The Rise and Fall of the Hawaiian Kingdom (A Pictorial History), Richard A Wisniewski (Pacific Printers, Inc, 1979), from Times Atlas of World History, Geoffrey Barraclough (Ed, Maplewood, New Jersey, 1979), and from External Links: Pacific Strife, Kees van Dijk (Amsterdam University Press, 2015, and available via JSTOR: Part 5, Part 9, & Part 20), and Samoa (Encyclopaedia Britannica), and Samoa (Rulers.org), and Samoa (World Statesmen), and BBC Country Profiles.)

1722

'Upolu Island is sighted by the Dutch admiral, Jacob Roggeveen, and is named Eyland Groningen (Groningen Island). Tupua I'amafana would appear to be alive around this time and is labelled the 'king of Samoa', although claims of a single kingdom at this time cannot be substantiated.

fl early 1700s

'King of Samoa'.

fl late 1700s?

Also known as 'Tupu o Salafai'.

fl early 1800s?

Killed in combat in 1829?

1830 - 1842

Also known as 'Tupu o Salafai'.

1830s - 1850

Protestant missionaries in the 1830s become active in Samoa. Roman Catholic missionaries arrive in the 1840s, but the Protestants remain dominant. Almost all Samoans are Christian by 1850.

Samoa is the ideal island paradise, one which is filled with opportunities for adventure while being a mixture of natural beauty, welcoming people, and a vibrant culture which truly embodies the Samoan way of life

1839

The USA's Captain Charles Wilkes explores Samoa, and the Americans open a consulate in Apia on the island of 'Upolu, the first advanced western nation to do so - others quickly follow.

1841

An American is murdered, but Malietoa Tavita refuses to turn over the suspects. Captain Charles Wilkes, still in the area, bombards the island of 'Upolu and destroys a couple of villages as a form of warning to the Samoans.

1847 - 1861

The United Kingdom opens a consulate in Apia in 1847. That location, Apia, is destined to become the capital of modern Samoa. The kingdom of Prussia opens one in 1861 as an early signal of its own colonial ambitions in the region.

1871 - 1872

Alarmed at European interest in the islands, especially from the newly-formed German empire, New Zealand in 1871 asks Britain to annexe Samoa, but the United Kingdom ignores the request. In the following year the USA is granted permission to start a coaling station in Pago Pago.

The US presence on Samoa began with a coaling station in 1872, but this would develop into much more, including the bomb-proof operations building on Tafuna Airfield, Tutuila, which is shown here and a divided portion of Samoa which today is known as Western Samoa

1873 - 1875

Samoans unite to form a centralised 'Kingdom of Samoa'. A council of seven chiefs (the ta'imua) rules the islands until 1875. The ta'imua is a form of legislative upper house which, along with the faipule, a lower house which represents the Samoan districts, serves as the legislature for the kingdom.

1875 - 1876

Two joint kings are selected in 1875 by the ta'imua to govern Samoa. They are assisted by a new council of fourteen, also known as the ta'imua, which selects a single king, all in the same year. As Samoa's sole king, Malietoa Laupepa chooses America's Colonel Albert Barnes Steinberger for his prime minister.

Steinberger is already a friend of the natives, but he alienates foreign settlers who accuse him of being a dictator. The position of prime minister is abolished in 1876. The rejection of Steinberger angers the ta'imua, which subsequently deposes Laupepa. It does not appoint a new king until 1879.

Samoan women in 1899 joined what was usually a male-dominated activity when they participated in resistance against a fierce bombardment by the Royal Navy and US Navy, with this photo by Charles Kerry showing several males and females carrying their weapons

A civil war follows between the ta'imua and faipule on one side and Laupepa on the other. Laupepa attempts to set up a rival government, with the British on his side. They are defeated in their attempt to restore him to power.

1875

Joint king, and king four times overall.

1875

Joint king.

1875 - 1876

King for the second time. Removed by the ta'imua.

1878

The United States enters into a treaty of friendship with Samoans from Tutuila and Aunu'u islands. Through this it manages to acquire the rights to build a naval base at Pago Pago as an expansion from its initial coaling station.

1879 - 1880

Died. His nephew, Laupepa, became deputy king.

1879

Talavou and Laupepa disband their opponents, the ta'imua and faipule. Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom jointly recognise the authority of Talavou and put an end to the civil wars.

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 swept away any surviving myth of the greatness of France's military capabilities when the highly modernised Prussian forces drove them back to the gates of Paris

Once the strife is over, the ta'imua and faipule are re-established. A new council is created, and this council's assent is required for all changes in policy. Almost immediately, the three-pronged power arrangement collapses.

1880 - 1887

King for a third time. Resigned and exiled by Germany.

1880 - 1887

To the dismay of Germany, the United States recognises the authority of Laupepa. Tupua Tamasese Titiamaea becomes deputy king rather than the German ally, Mata'afa Iosefo. Throughout his reign, Laupepa worries the Germans with his repeated requests to Queen Victoria and New Zealand for annexation.

Germany in 1884 gains an official say in the running of Samoan affairs. Tensions increase to the point that, in 1887, Germany recruits Titiamaea to mount a rival kingship, following which Germany declares war on Laupepa. He is forced out and Titiamaea is installed as the new king.

Born in Sapapli'i, Savaii, Malietoa Laupepa was the son of Malietoa Moli and Fa'alaituio Fuatino Su'a, born in 1841, and succeeding to the title of malietoa in 1880 upon the death of Malietoa Talavou

1887

Rival king who succeeded to the throne with German help.

1887 - 1889

King and German client. Overthrown.

1888 - 1889

Civil war again breaks out when Mata'afa Iosefo, a former friend of Germany, mounts a campaign to overthrow Titiamaea. He succeeds in 1889 and thereafter takes the throne.

1889

King and free agent.

1889

Nature prevents a confrontation between the three powers, each seeking to intervene on behalf of a different faction. A hurricane destroys six out of seven warships which are anchored in the harbour of Apia. The three must now engage in negotiations. They establish a tripartite protectorate.

In October 1889 the powers select Laupepa as king, but Iosefo demands a traditional election in which he prevails and Laupepa becomes deputy king. A month later, the Germans bring back Laupepa from exile and install him, against his own wishes, as king for a fourth time.

Mata'afa Iosefo was a king of Samoa who was one of the three rival candidates for the kingship during the colonial era, later acting as chairman of the provisional government in 1899

1889 - 1898

King for a fourth time, at first against his wishes.

1890 - 1893

The unhappy Iosefo almost immediately begins opposition to Laupepa. The Germans in 1891 declare him a rebel and, in 1893, they exile him to Jaluit in the Marshall Islands.

Also in 1891, the three powers devise a system of chief justices who are appointed to resolve disputes over the rightful selection of kings and other chiefs and to ensure the rightful exercise of their power. The first justice is a Swede who is appointed by the king of Sweden and Norway. Thereafter, United States officials are appointed until the protectorate is ended in 1900.

1898 - 1899

Upon Laupepa's death two candidates emerge to compete for the throne. The Germans allow Iosefo to return from exile but vigorously oppose his restoration. The American chief justice selects Laupepa's son, Tanumafili, for the position. Unfortunately his tenure is brief.

The Samoan ta'imua is shown here taking the colonial oath of allegiance on 14 August 1900 (photo by Thomas Andrew)

1898 - 1899

Son. Overthrown but later restored.

1898 - 1899

Iosefo mounts a violent campaign against Tanumafili and even threatens the life of William Lea Chambers, the chief justice. Tanumafili is overthrown, and Iosefo is elected as chairman of a provisional government. He does not take the title of king, and he himself lasts only two months in this position.

The Americans bombard the capital and force out Iosefo, and the British and Americans restore Tenumafili to the throne, complete with a marching band.

1899

Chairman of the provisional government. Driven out.

1899

Restored. Required to abdicate for 'Colonial Samoa'.

1899 - 1900

The United States, Britain, and Germany have had enough. They disarm all Samoans. They force Tanumafili to abdicate, and they abolish the kingship. A provisional government which consists of the consuls of each country governs Samoa until 1 March 1900 when Germany annexes the former kingdom in the form of a 'Colonial Samoa' while the eastern islands remain in the hands of the Americans.

The non-violent Mau Movement began in 1908 but was suppressed by New Zealand officials following the bloody 'Black Saturday' event, with Mau leaders and Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III shown here in front of the Mau office in 1929