Editing History of Samoa (section)

==Division of islands==
{{see also|German Samoa}}
The [[Tripartite Convention (1899)|Samoa Tripartite Convention of 1899]], a joint commission of three members composed of [[Bartlett Tripp]] for the United States, C. N. E. Eliot, C.B. for Great Britain, and Freiherr Speck von Sternburg for Germany, agreed to divide the islands.

The Tripartite Convention gave control of the islands west of 171 degrees west longitude to Germany, (later known as [[Western Samoa]]), containing [[Upolu]] and [[Savaii]] (the current [[Samoa]]) and other adjoining islands. These islands became known as [[German Samoa]].
The United States was given control the eastern islands of [[Tutuila]] and [[Manu'a]], (present-day [[American Samoa]]).<ref name="GHR"/> In exchange for Britain ceding claims in Samoa, Germany transferred their protectorates in the [[North Solomon Islands]] and other territories in West Africa. It does not appear that any Samoans were consulted about the partition and the monarchy was also abolished.

[[File:Lauaki Namulau'ulu Mamoe (standing 3rd from left with orator's staff) and other chiefs aboard German warship taking them to exile in Saipan, 2909.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Exiled group aboard German warship taking them to [[Saipan]]. Standing 3rd from the left is [[Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe]], 1909.]]
[[File:NZ sailors removing white band, insignia of the Mau, from lavalava 1930.jpg|thumb|right|230px|New Zealand sailors removing the white strip from [[lava-lava]], the insignia of the Mau uniform, circa 1930]]
From 1908, with the establishment of the [[Mau movement]] ("opinion movement"), Western Samoans began to assert their claim to independence. The Mau movement began in 1908 with the 'Mau a Pule' resistance on Savai'i, led by orator chief [[Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe|Lauaki Namulau'ulu Mamoe]]. Lauaki and Mau a Pule chiefs, wives and children were exiled to [[Saipan]] in 1909. Many died in exile.<ref name=Te/>

[[World War I]] broke out in August 1914, and soon after, [[New Zealand]] sent an expeditionary force to [[Fall of German Samoa|seize and occupy German Samoa]]. Although Germany refused to officially surrender the islands, no resistance was offered and the occupation took place without any fighting. New Zealand continued the occupation of Western Samoa throughout World War I. Under the [[Treaty of Versailles]] in 1919, Germany relinquished its claims to the islands.