| |
|
|
| |
Home
>
World
> Australia and South Pacific
> American Samoa
|
History and Government
History: 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. The post is currently held by Tauese P Sunia, who narrowly won the gubernatorial elections in November 1996, and was re-elected as incumbent at the most recent poll four years later.
Government: The 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, and a 20-member House of Representatives, elected by popular vote for a term of two years.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
|
|
|
