History

A brief history of the American Samoa.

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History Details

Polynesians first migrated to the Samoan Islands around 3000 years ago. In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen became the first European to arrive in the islands, but for the most part, European influence was limited to the occasional trading with passing ships - and that was about it. It wasn't until the early 1800s that Pago Pago became a frequent stop for European traders, specifically for whaling. Traders were often on their way to China, but some of them were so enchanted by the scenery that they stopped and stayed. A number of Europeans settled in the Samoan islands in the next twenty years and established their own communities and laws. Local islanders and the European immigrants were able to live peacefully among one another. 1872 was the start of American influence, when United States Navy Commander Richard Meade met with Tutuila's Chief Manuma to establish a harbor in Pago Pago. By the turn of the century, Britain, Germany and the United States were engaged in a power struggle to control the Islands. American Samoa became United States territory by a treaty with Great Britain and Germany in 1899. Polynesian chiefs surrendered their claims to the islands shortly thereafter in 1900. American Samoa was run primarily by naval officers, who neglected the welfare of the Samoan people and ran the islands like a military base. The American Samoa became extremely important during the second World War, when Pago Pago was a naval base and staging point for the Naval offense in the Pacific. The islands were controlled by the US Navy until 1951, when Truman transferred responsibility to the Department of the Interior. Finally, a new constitution was drafted, giving Samoan people much more responsibility; the first election took place in 1978. Today, schools have been built, roads paved, housing has expanded and a new jet airport constructed. The National Park of American Samoa was established on October 31, 1988. However, the NPS had issues buying the land because of the traditional communal land system that has been in place throughout the history of the island. This was resolved on September 9, 1993, when the National Park Service signed a 50-year lease for the park land from the Samoan village councils. While tourism is not prevalent because of its remote location, the park itself attracts an increasing amount of visitors. The islands themselves can be a window back in time, as many islanders continue traditional practices of farming and reef fishing.

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