What was the purpose of the 1878 agreement between the United States and Samoa?
In 1878, the United States Senate ratified a treaty giving the United States the right to establish a naval station at Pago Pago, but passed on the opportunity to annex the islands. Included in the provisions of the treaty of 1878 was the right to maintain a coaling station on Tutuila.
How did the US benefit from its treaty with Samoa?
The United States cooperates with Samoa on economic and trade issues while promoting U.S. exports to Samoa, reducing barriers to U.S. goods and services, and protecting the interests of U.S. investors.
Why did the US acquire American Samoa?
In 1872 the high chief of the tribes of the eastern Samoan islands gave America permission to establish a naval base in exchange for military protection. The eastern Samoan islands became territories of the United States and later became known as American Samoa.
What country owns American Samoa?
the United States
American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior.
When did America invade Samoa?
Kimberly traveled to Tutuila to choose a site, recommending an area east of Fagatogo. Due to delays in land purchases, actual construction of the naval station didn’t begin until 1898. A Presidential Executive Order issued on February 19, 1900 placed American Samoa under the jurisdiction of the Navy Department.
Are American Samoans US citizens?
American Samoa has been a U.S. territory since 1900 and has the highest rate of military service in the U.S. Those born in the cluster of Polynesian islands 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, however, are American nationals — not citizens.
What happened to the Samoans?
At the turn of the 20th century, the Samoan islands were split into two sections. The eastern islands became territories of the United States in 1904 and today are known as American Samoa. The western islands became known as Western Samoa (now just Samoa), passing from German control to New Zealand in 1914.
Can a US citizen move to Samoa?
Citizens of the United States are allowed indefinite visa free entry into American Samoa. However a passport is still needed for entry. Citizens of the United States can live, work and travel indefinitely while in American Samoa.
Can you buy land in American Samoa?
In American Samoa, there are two distinct components to governance: the traditional chiefly system, the Fa’amatai, and communal lands, where land ownership is held by families. Acquiring land in American Samoa also requires people to be at least 50 percent Samoan.
When did American Samoa become a US territory?
Political Status. American Samoa became a U.S. territory by deed of cession, starting in 1900. The matai (local chiefs) of Tutuila, the largest island in American Samoa, ceded the island to the United States in 1900. Manu’a followed in 1904.
What was the Treaty of 1878 with Samoa?
In 1878 a Treaty was signed with Eastern Samoa which favored Samoan interests against Britain. The move was supported by President Grant’s political following including John A. Kasson. The Private pacts between Eastern Samoa had taken hold though, years before the actual Treaty, President Grant himself supervised it’s move.
Are there any US trade preferences for Samoa?
Samoa is eligible for trade preferences under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. In 2018, approximately 32 percent of Samoa’s exports to the United States received preferential treatment under the GSP program.
When did the DOI take over American Samoa?
Authority was transferred to the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 1956, where it resides. Even without an organic act or other explicit Congressional directive on governance, the people of American Samoa adopted their own constitution in 1967 and first constitutional elections were in 1977.