For the history of American Samoa before the mid-19th century, see the entry for
Samoa (until recently, Western Samoa). US interest in Samoa was prompted by the late-19th century search for a deep-water port in the South Pacific. Control of the islands was eventually divided between the USA and Germany – the USA took Tutuila, in order to use Pago Pago Bay as a coaling station. As Washington had no established apparatus for colonial government, the US Navy was put in charge. Despite the US presence, island life remained largely unaffected until the 1940s, when American Samoa acquired
great strategic importance in the course of the Pacific war and was subject to a huge influx of US Marines.
After the war, the Americans started to encourage the island towards self-government. In 1956, the first indigenous Samoan governor was appointed, followed a decade later by a new constitution that sought to guarantee the rights of the local inhabitants in matters of land ownership and civil rights. The first full election for the post of governor was held in 1977. Tauese Pita Fiti Sunia narrowly won the gubernatorial elections in November 1996 and was re-elected as incumbent in 2000. However, Sunia died in 2003 and has been indefinitely replaced by the Lieutenant-Governor, Togiola Tulafono, pending new elections.
GovernmentThe governor holds executive power and also the right to veto laws proposed by the bicameral legislature, called the Fono. The Fono has an 18-member Senate, elected by the traditional island chiefs to serve a four-year term, as well as a 20-member House of Representatives, elected by popular vote for a term of two years.
EconomyThe economy is based mainly on agriculture and fishing, with two tuna canneries providing employment for almost half the workforce; their output accounts for most of American Samoa’s export revenue. Agricultural output is mainly for domestic consumption.
Industrial estates have been built in an effort to encourage light industrial development. On these estates, consumer goods, such as handicrafts, soap and perfume, are produced.
The tourist industry is growing slowly; government employment accounts for the bulk of the country’s service sector.
The government’s economic priorities have been to tackle the lack of infrastructure. Shortage of skilled workers and this lack of infrastructure have combined, along with its remote location, to inhibit American Samoa’s economic development.
American Samoa is a member of the South Pacific Commission.
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