Who Controlled American Samoa Before the U.S.? Germany (1900–1914)

Immediately before U.S. control: The eastern Samoan islands (Tutuila, Aunu'u, Manu'a) were **not** a German protectorate. The 1899 Tripartite Convention awarded them *directly* to the United States. Germany received the western islands (Upolu, Savai'i) — **German Samoa (1900–1914)**.

Timeline of Control

• Pre-1899: Independent Samoan kingdoms/chiefs; contested by Germany, UK, USA.
• 1889–1899: Tripartite Condominium (Berlin Treaty) — joint administration, chaotic.
• 1899 (Dec): Tripartite Convention partitions archipelago.
• 1900 (Apr 17): Tutuila chiefs sign Deed of Cession → **U.S. Navy administration begins**.
• 1900–1914: **Western Samoa = German colony**. Eastern Samoa = **U.S. naval station**.
• 1914: NZ seizes German Samoa (WWI). Becomes NZ mandate (1920) → trust territory (1946) → independent Samoa (1962).
• 1951: US Navy → Dept. of Interior (civilian administration).
• 1978: First elected governor.

Correction

The source's claim "American Samoa was a German protectorate 1900–1914" is **incorrect**. It confuses the two halves of the 1899 partition. **German Samoa** (western islands) was the German protectorate. **American Samoa** (eastern islands) has been under U.S. control since 1900.