Samoan Civil Wars
The Samoan Civil Wars were a series of conflicts in the late 19th century that arose from a struggle for power among local leaders, primarily between factions supporting rival kings in Samoa. Following the recognition of Malietoa Laupepa as king in 1881, a succession dispute ensued after his death, leading to increased tensions among various factions, notably the Malietoa and the Tupua Party. The involvement of foreign powers, including Britain, the United States, and Germany, further complicated the situation, as these nations sought to expand their influence in the region.
The civil wars saw significant military engagement, with German troops intervening to support local leaders and suppress uprisings. By employing gunboat diplomacy, Germany gained de facto control over the islands, aggravating native resentment and leading to the rise of formidable local leaders like Mata'afa. Significant battles occurred, notably the clashes between Mata'afa's rebel forces and those aligned with Tamasese, backed by German support. Ultimately, the conflicts concluded with the partition of Samoa, as Western Samoa fell under German control and Eastern Samoa was ceded to the United States. The civil wars marked a critical period in Samoan history, reflecting broader themes of colonialism and local resistance within the Pacific.
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Samoan Civil Wars
At issue: Control of Samoan Islands
Date: 1880–1899
Location: Samoan Islands, West and East
Combatants: Native families vs. Germans vs. Americans and British
Principal commanders:Native, Chief Mata’afa; German, Eugen Brandeir; United States, Rear Admiral Albert Kautz (1839–1907)
Principal battles: Tutuila, Savai’i, Upolu, Mulinu’u, Mulinu’u Point
Result: German domination of the western islands and U.S. predominance in the eastern
Background
Britain first became interested in Samoa through missionary work in 1830, and U.S. interest in the islands came in 1839 with the exploring expeditions of Lieutenant Charles Wilke. In 1872, Commander Richard W. Meade of the USS Narragansett negotiated with High Chief Mauga for the use of Pago Pago (capital of Tutuila) as a coaling station. The Germans made their influence known through the heads of the trade body DHPG (Deutsch Handels-und Plantagen-Gesellschaft der Sudsee-Inseln zu Hamburg), including August Unshelm and his successor Theodor Weber, maintaining a trade base at Apia to expand their colonial activities in the South Pacific. On March 24, 1880, an agreement was struck between Britain, the United States, and Germany to recognize Malietoa Talavou as king, but at his death on November 8, a succession dispute arose. All three powers recognized Malietoa Laupepa as king onboard the USS Lackawanna (July 12, 1881).
Action
After the signing, Malietoa’s rivals in the Tupua Party contested his reign. German troops engaged civil disturbances at Tutuila (1881), and at the request of the king at Savai’i (1882) and Upolu (1882). The German consul feared that the king would side with and possibly ask for annexation by Britain. The Germans forced Malietoa to sign a German-Samoan treaty with the use of gunboat diplomacy at Apia in November, 1884, leaving Germany in de facto control of the island.
The Malietoa faction petitioned for British aid, and Weber reacted by putting German support behind the vice king Tamasese. When the king protested, German marines landed in January, 1885, taking over Mulinu’u, and, ignoring British and American protest, occupied Apia. A DHPG employee, former cavalry officer Eugen Brandeir, acted as premier and was to raise and train an army against Malietoa reprisals. The United States contested the Germans’ role, and three power talks were held to discuss Samoa’s future (June 25, 1887). The conference failed, and four German warships cut off Apia from the outside world for three weeks (August 23, 1887). When reparations demanded by the German consul were not met, 700 marines with field guns landed. Tamasese was proclaimed king as Malietoa fled.
Native resentment against harsh German rule grew under the powerful Chief Mata’afa. In September, Brandeir led a force of 500 of Tamasese’s warriors against the rebels, but by September 11, they had lost against the aptly skilled and more numerous (3,000) rebel forces, retreating to Mulinu’u Point under protection of the gunboat Adler. A cease-fire was brought in early October, and on June 14, 1888, the Samoan Act was signed by the three powers at Berlin. Malietoa was recognized as king, and the powers would provide joint supervision of the administration.
On Malietoa’s death on August 22, 1898, Mata’afa, now siding with the Germans, landed from the warship Bassard to take the throne (November 12). Refuting the king’s claim under the Berlin Act, the United States sent Rear Admiral Albert Kautz and the USS Philadelphia to protect U.S. interests and ensure that treaties were followed. Kautz was ignored and, following the natives’ attempt to occupy Mulinu’u Point from their war canoes, began bombarding the vessels, then the coastal area (March 16, 1899), and was joined by the HMS Porpoise. Mata’afa then attacked townships, particularly at the Trivoli Hotel, until he was forced back by the Americans (three killed). The British and American Consulates repelled fierce attacks the following day. A U.S.-led expedition against the rebels inland at the start of April was turned back by thousands of rebel fighters, leaving seven American dead. The battering of the coast continued as the HMS Torch arrived from Sydney, but by April 25, Mata’afa had agreed to withdraw, and by May 3, the fighting had ended.
Aftermath
The civil war ended with Western Samoa in German hands and Eastern Samoa in the hands of the United States.
Bibliography
Campbell, I. C. A History of the Pacific Islands. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996.
Gilson, R. P. Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-Cultural Community. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1970.
Kennedy, P. M. “The Royal Navy and the Samoan Civil War, 1898–1899.” Canadian Journal of History 5, no. 3. (March, 1970).
‗‗‗‗‗‗‗. The Samoan Tangle: A Study in Anglo-German-American Relations, 1878–1900. Dublin: Irish University Press, 1974.