Effects+of+Colonialism

= Effects of Colonialism =

The first recorded contact between Europeans and the island of Samoa was in the early 18th century by a Dutch explorer named Jacob Roggeveen. By the 1830's, missionaries and traders had arrived on the island and Samoa became a major trading hub. Missionaries had little trouble spreading Christianity to the Samoans, most likely attributed to the similar beliefs between the two groups. "//Atua// may have been somewhat remote from the general affairs of humans, but //aitu// were certaintly greatly involved in them..." (Hamilton: 164). It can be assumed Catholicism had an easy intrigation into Samoan society particulary due to //atua// relating to God the Father and //aitu// relating to all the angels and saints.



The Industrial Revolution in Europe in the late 19th century had a major impact on why and how areas outside of Europe were taken over and ruled. The need to facilitate the manufacturing processes in Europe led to the inadvertent takeover of Samoa as a colony. Samoa would be impacted greatly by the United States, Germany, and United Kingdom claiming parts of the island and establishing trading posts throughout. "Western Samoa was in ferment, while American Samoa seemed contented and at peace" (Campbell: 45).

**Island Division:** Tensions between Germany, Britain, and America escalated to epic proportions. The island would be divided among Germany, America, and Britain; with Britain eventually ceding its claims to Germany later on. America still currently holds a territory in the islands, commonly referred to as American Samoa. Germany would occupy Western Samoan and the adjoining islands.There are four main reasons attributed to the dilema: Economic, Strategic, Political and Social reasons.

**﻿** The continued need to fuel the Industrial Revolution, raw materials were constantly needed and many of them could not be found in Europe. This led Europeans to begin searching overseas. The Spice Islands and China were very popular areas to trade with as were the Pacific Islands for their sandalwoods and sea slugs. Europeans used the goods obtained from the Pacific Islands to fuel their trade with China.
 * Economic Reasons:

Based off of basic military strategy of protecting borders, Germany, Britain, and America began to establish ports and facilities for military purposes. This would lead to increasing competition between these countries for vital natural harbors and coastline.
 * Strategic Reasons:

In a race to gain wealth, prestige, and power; America, Germany, and Britain competed in a race for colonies against each other. They all held the belief that they needed overseas colonies if they even had a chance at being as powerful as Britain was in the late 19th century. Within this rush, Samoa was in Germany's plans because there was already an abundance of German residents in Samoa.
 * Political Reasons:

The work of the Protestant and Catholic missionaries in Samoa had major influence on the formal rule over the island. Once the Samoans were converted and became "civilized", they followed the European way of life. Samoans learned how to read and write, while also following European rules and regulations.
 * Social Reasons: