How did American Samoa become part of the United States?
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How did American Samoa become part of the United States?
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.
When did Samoa change from Western Samoa?
Samoa gained its independence from New Zealand in 1962 after more than a century of foreign influence and domination, but it remains a member of the Commonwealth. The country was known as Western Samoa until 1997.
What is the difference between the islands of Samoa and American Samoa?
Samoa (pronounced Saa-Moh-uh) is an independent nation made up of 2 main islands, Upolu and Savaii and several smaller and uninhabited islands. American Samoa is one main island with a few smaller islands that is an overseas territory of the United States.
Who owns Western Samoa?
Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with eleven administrative divisions. The sovereign state is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Western Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976….Samoa.
| Independent State of Samoa Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa (Samoan) | |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Samoan English |
Why was Samoa important to the US?
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.
Who took over Samoa?
After World War I, New Zealand took over the administration of what had been German Samoa, and the area was renamed the Western Samoa Trust Territory. This area became independent in 1962 and was renamed Samoa. American Samoa remains an unincorporated territory of the United States.
How did Samoa get its name?
Samoan traditions hold the view that Tagaloa-alagi created the world and the Samoan people out of the earth, hence their name Samoa. One traditional view states that anything born out of the ‘moa’ or centre of the earth was ‘sacred’ to ‘moa’ (Samoa).
Can American Samoa vote for US president?
As a U.S. territory, American Samoa also votes to send a non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives, from American Samoa’s at-large congressional district. While American Samoans can vote in party primaries, they cannot vote in the general presidential election.