German Samoa

Quick Facts: Who was German Samoa?

Subject:

German Samoa

Known for:

German protectorate in Oceania (1900–1920), a key period of colonial rule.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

German Samoa, officially the Kingdom of Samoa (German: Königreich Samoa; Samoan: Malo Kaisalika), was a German protectorate from 1900 to 1920, consisting of the islands of Upolu, Savaiʻi, Apolima and Manono, now wholly within the Independent State of Samoa, formerly Western Samoa. Samoa was the last German colonial acquisition in the Pacific Ocean, received following the Tripartite Convention signed at Washington on 2 December 1899 with ratifications exchanged on 16 February 1900. It was the only German colony in the Pacific, aside from the Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory in China, that was administered separately from German New Guinea. In 1855, J. C. Godeffroy & Sohn expanded its trading business into the Pacific following negotiations by August Unshelm, Godeffroy's agent in Valparaíso. He sailed out to the Samoan Islands, which were then known as the Navigator Islands.

Career & Major Achievements

During the second half of the 19th century, German influence in Samoa expanded with large scale plantation operations being introduced for coconut, cacao and hevea rubber cultivation, especially on the island of 'Upolu where German firms monopolised copra and cocoa bean processing. The trading operations of J. C. Godeffroy & Sohn extended to islands in the Central Pacific. In 1865, a trading captain acting on behalf of J. C. Godeffroy & Sohn obtained a 25-year lease to the eastern islet of Niuoku of Nukulaelae Atoll. J. C. Godeffroy und Sohn was taken over in 1879 by Handels-und Plantagen-Gesellschaft der Südsee-Inseln zu Hamburg (DHPG). Competition in the trading operations in the Central Pacific came from Ruge, Hedemann & Co, established in 1875, which was succeeded by H. M. Ruge and Company until that firm failed in about 1887.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Tensions caused in part by the conflicting interests of the German traders and plantation owners and British business enterprises and American business interests led to the first Samoan Civil War. The war was fought roughly between 1886 and 1894, primarily between Samoans though the German military intervened on several occasions. The United States and the United Kingdom opposed the German activity which led to a confrontation in Apia Harbour in 1887. In 1899 after the Second Samoan Civil War, the Samoan Islands were divided by the three involved powers. The Samoa Tripartite Convention gave control of the islands west of 171 degrees west longitude to Germany, the eastern islands to the United States (present-day American Samoa) and the United Kingdom was compensated with other territories in the Pacific and West Africa.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1865: 1865 Milestone — In 1865, a trading captain acting on behalf of J.
2. 1875: 1875 Milestone — Competition in the trading operations in the Central Pacific came from Ruge, Hedemann & Co, established in 1875, which was succeeded by H.
3. 1879: 1879 Milestone — Godeffroy und Sohn was taken over in 1879 by Handels-und Plantagen-Gesellschaft der Südsee-Inseln zu Hamburg (DHPG).
4. 1886: 1886 Milestone — The war was fought roughly between 1886 and 1894, primarily between Samoans though the German military intervened on several occasions.
5. 1887: 1887 Milestone — Ruge and Company until that firm failed in about 1887.
6. 1899: 1899 Milestone — Samoa was the last German colonial acquisition in the Pacific Ocean, received following the Tripartite Convention signed at Washington on 2 December 1899 with ratifications exchanged on 16 February 1900.
7. 1900: 1900 Milestone — German Samoa, officially the Kingdom of Samoa (German: Königreich Samoa; Samoan: Malo Kaisalika), was a German protectorate from 1900 to 1920, consisting of the islands of Upolu, Savaiʻi, Apolima and Manono, now wholly within the Independent State of Samoa, formerly Western Samoa.

Notable Quotes by German Samoa

“German rule brought peace and order for the first time.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: German Samoa

True or False: “The German administration in Samoa was solely focused on resource extraction with no regard for local customs or governance structures.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Governor Wilhelm Solf skillfully integrated Samoan institutions into the colonial system by accepting and observing native customs, such as the ceremonial drinking of kava.

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Frequently Asked Questions about German Samoa