How did Germany, Great Britain, and the United States compete for influence in Samoa?

During the 19th century, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States competed for influence in Samoa as their respective settlers pressured their governments to annex the islands. This rivalry was fueled by commercial interests and the strategic desire for naval stations.123

The competition manifested in several ways:

• Treaties and Naval Stations: In 1878, the United States secured a treaty for a naval station in Pago Pago Harbour. Great Britain and Germany obtained similar agreements the following year.12
• Political Manipulation: Rival Samoan matai (chiefs) often played the three foreign powers against one another during factional wars, which in turn hindered the Samoans' own efforts to establish a unified national government.12
• Escalation and Partition: Tensions between the three powers nearly led to open warfare in 1889, which was averted only by a typhoon that destroyed their warships. Following this, they signed the Berlin Act to maintain neutrality. However, in 1899, the islands were partitioned without consulting the Samoan people: the United States annexed the eastern portion, while Germany took the western part. Great Britain received compensation elsewhere.123