The Samoan Crisis of 1889

The idyllic South Pacific islands of Samoa seem an odd spot for colonial conflict. Yet the German Empire and the US nearly went to war over control of the archipelago. In 1889 the series of islands, thousands of miles from the US and German capitals, became the center of colonial machinations - until nature intervened and altered the course of history.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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Script by JCG

#history #thehistoryguy #Samoa

[jamessmithson]

I read General LeJeune's book, and he was there for the buildup as a passed cadet, for the sinking. Just a fascinating era, he went from single shot rifles and wood hull screw steamers to dispatching Marine air squadrons around the world, all in one career.

[peterwright]

Anyone who has faced a Samoan on the rugby pitch knows that their warrior culture and spirit lives on today. And after the match ends they are friendly and kind usually asking if you are going to be okay with your bruised bodies and ego. Happy St. Patrick’s day!

[historybuff]

I enjoyed this episode on the history of American Samoa. I lived on American Samoa with my family from about 1960 to 1962 or 3. Even though that was about 60 years ago I still have fond memories of the people and our time there.

[jmanjman]

Thanks for sharing. My wife is Samoan and it’s such a beautiful place and it’s great to learn about their history. The pyramids are also very interesting.

[emosmurf]

i've had this presented in college. the miracle of the internet, again. 13 minutes and you jumped an entire 3-day lecture series in U of Pitt. well done!

[EFvega]

I like that you do not apologize for the history and that you don’t change it. Thank you for keeping it true

[michaelhomsany]

Thank you so much for recognizing us!

Most US citizens (and one person in Congress!) don't have a clue that American Samoa is part of the USA, and has been for 121 years.

Thanks so much again and best regards from Pacific Horizons School, Tutuila Island, American Samoa

[nikburton]

I was in Samoa once when in the Navy. Nice folks, pretty rural. But I love those quiet, almost forgotten corners of the world. Retired from the canoe club in 05, but would have 30 more if they'd have let me.

[perrysims]

I'm a micro historian. I study one little boomtown in northern California. Sisson, now called Mt. Shasta City. I still have chills that I got as this episode filled in the gaps that actually involve my own study. While this international trouble was brewing, the Moors brothers, first the elder and later his two brothers were making good in the copra business in Apia and with a string of general stores on adjoining islands. Henry J. Moors, the elder who had built the business and asked his siblings to come to help him make them all rich, was posting letters to the American government taking sides in the Samoan family disagreements. My story is that one of the younger brothers traded a boatload of goods to the head of the Fagamolo family for the hand of his "princess" daughter. Oliver E. Moors left an infant son, Holo, his "wife", and was back in the USA in Sisson by 1887 with his brother Frank and by 1889 O E Moors was Postmaster of Sisson. The brothers ran a general mercantile store with the PO, and the Elks Lodge was upstairs. This adds to my theory that his impregnating a young local woman didn't go down well, and the existing 'family' problems and coming political problems led to his abandoning Holo. His big brother might have been a bit 'put off' as well. I still have a link to the Fagamolo family who shared the "princess" story with me. Thanks for doing such a nice job of covering that important event.

[Hullj]

If I were in charge of history education, your series would be mandatory watching for every English language history class across the globe for people ages 10 to 21. Thanks you for all of your hard work.

[Bronzite]

When I was in college in the early 2000's, I wrote a paper about the Samoan Crisis here that my advisor encouraged me to revise and publish, but it was out-of-department so I never did. The thesis was that all the pieces were already in place by 1889 for the Samoa Islands to be the flashpoint for the first World War (or an equivalent European conflagration), given the length of time it took for communications from the islands to reach Europe and for a reply to be sent. I remember every source I could find all ended up referencing back to Robert Louis Stevenson's one book on the topic, called "A Footnote To History", and I had a hell of a time finding a copy of it.

[darthdurf]

thank you for these stories, as a civil war and WW2 enthusiast, I can watch these with the kids and not super bore love them also. Please keep up the great work

[AWLucky]

" U.S. ships were of the 'sticks and strings' variety, and outdated." As a former tall ship sailor, I found that phrase hilarious, never heard it before. Yet once again THC, well said sir!!!!

[bradleycred]

My great-great-great maternal Grandfather was on the U.S.S. Trenton during this storm. He was a career U.S. Navy Sailor (Landsman) dating back to his Union Navy service during the U.S. Civil War.

[stenbak]

It’s still so strange to me when someone doesn’t know about American Samoa, it’s a fairly important territory in multiple wars and time periods. Plus their people remind me of Filipinos bc they are genuinely good people or at least the ones I have met and extremely hard workers when given the ability to strive. I’d almost rather American Samoa become a state before Puerto Rico

[exidy-yt]

I love Samoa and Samoans. This is an excellent short summary of the politics of the time, and especially of the storm from hell. I have been considering moving to a climate that is warm all the time. I live in the most temperate part of Canada and it's still too goddamn wet and cold in winter and Samoa (as opposed to American Samoa) has been looking more and more like the place to go.

[michaelcerkez]

I studied Samoa in my years at Rutgers but we never had knowledge of this. Thank you Sir.

[stevedietrich]

Thanks for yet another interesting video that I had absolutely no previous knowledge about.

[tygrkhat]

"History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man."
"Godzilla, " Blue Oyster Cult

[tarsus]

At 00:25, I think I hear THG say "18 years" as the amount of time between this event and the US entry into WW1. I think the amount of time is actually 28 years (1917-1889). Respectfully submitted.