Kōrero: Pacific Islands and New Zealand

The US flag is hoisted at Pago Pago, Samoa, in 1900. Samoan attempts at self-government in the late 19th century had failed in the face of embedded European business and agricultural interests and Samoan infighting. Although Germany, the United States and Britain had recognised Samoan independence in 1889, the three countries gained trading powers. When the United States and Germany formally divided Samoa between themselves in 1899, Britain traded its interests there for recognition of its control of Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Niue and parts of Africa, including Zanzibar.