arbor city of Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila, as a trading post, coaling station, & naval base 2. Great Britain and Germany secured similar rights in other parts of the Samoa Islands B. For a number of years, rivalry among the 3 foreign nations for control of the Samoa Islands simmered until they teetered on the brink of war 1. To prevent further trouble, the 3 nations set up a system of joint control, but it was not to last C. In 1899 the rivals signed a treaty ending the dispute 1. Great Britain, preoccupied w/ the South African War, w/drew its interests 2. The US established firm control over Tutuila & six other small islands whose combined area was only about 75 square miles a) Together these possessions became known as American Samoa 3. Germany gained control of all the other islands in the Samoan group, which eventually became known as Western SamoaTHE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS A. Far more important to the US than its Samoan possessions were the Hawaiian Islands 1. This group of islands had fertile soil, good rainfall, & a mild climate B. Foreign traders & missionaries, including Americans, had begun settling there in the 1820s but interfered little w/ the govt & economy of the local people 1. After 1865, however, businesses from the US & other foreign nations began to develop sugarcane & pineapple plantations on the islands C. The queen of the Hawaiian Islands resented foreign influence & tried to overturn or bring an end to treaties created by the previous 2 rulers 1. Her antiforeign feelings were in turn resented by the resident foreign business leaders a) A combination of influential businessmen & their political supporters brought an end to the queen's reign 2. After several years of turmoil, the queen officially abdicated in 1895 to avoid bloodshedbetween her supporters & her opponents D. The US annexed the island in 1898THE PHILIPPINES, GUAM, AND WAKE ISLAND A. Since the 1500s & 1600s, the Philippine Islands & Gua...
