The history of Samoa spans over three millennia, beginning with the arrival of Polynesian navigators around 1000 BCE. These early settlers, who likely originated from Tonga, established Samoa as a central hub in Polynesia. Over the centuries, Samoa developed a complex society known for its navigational prowess, agriculture, and intricate social structures. European contact began in the early 18th century, bringing significant cultural and political changes. This timeline outlines key events from the ancient settlement of the islands to Samoa’s modern status as an independent nation.
Chronological History of Samoa
- 1000 BCE: Polynesians, indicated by Lapita pottery, arrive in the Samoan archipelago. They likely came from Tonga, making Samoa central to Polynesian settlement and culture.
- 200 CE: Local pottery production ceases, and Samoa becomes a vital hub for Eastern Polynesian settlement and interactions with Tonga and Fiji.
- 950 AD: Tongan warriors invade Samoa, taking control of Savai’i but are eventually repelled on Upolu by local chiefs.
- 1722: Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen is the first European to sight the Samoan islands.
- 1830: John Williams of the London Missionary Society arrives, leading to widespread conversion to Christianity under the leadership of Malietoa Vainu’upo.
- 1839: The United States Exploring Expedition visits Samoa, marking the beginning of increased European and American interest.
- 1855: German trading firms establish a strong presence, expanding plantations and economic activities on Upolu.
- 1878: The United States establishes a naval station at Pago Pago. Germany and Britain follow with similar treaties.
- 1889: The Samoan Crisis sees naval conflict between the US, Germany, and Britain in Apia harbor, a typhoon prevents further warfare.
- 1899: The Tripartite Convention partitions Samoa into German Samoa (Western Samoa) and American Samoa without consulting the Samoan people.
- 1900: Eastern Samoa officially becomes American Samoa. The Kingdom of Manu’a joins in 1904.
- 1908: Mau a Pule movement begins in Western Samoa, resisting German colonial rule and advocating for Samoan autonomy.
- 1914: New Zealand troops occupy German Samoa during WWI, meeting no resistance.
- 1918-1919: A devastating influenza epidemic, blamed on New Zealand’s administration, kills over one-fifth of Western Samoa’s population.
- 1926: Mau movement gains momentum, advocating for self-rule; leaders are exiled, but the movement persists.
- 1946: Western Samoa becomes a United Nations Trust Territory under New Zealand administration.
- 1962: Western Samoa gains independence from New Zealand, becoming the first Pacific island nation to do so. It later changes its name to Samoa in 1997.
- 2009: A significant tsunami hits Samoa, causing considerable damage and loss of life.
Samoa’s history is marked by its early Polynesian settlement, a period of European contact and colonization, and a determined struggle for independence. From the arrival of the first navigators to the establishment of a unique Samoan identity, the islands have experienced significant cultural and political transformations. Today, Samoa stands as an independent nation with a rich cultural heritage, having navigated through centuries of external influences and internal challenges.
