Event of 1899: After a civil war breaks out in Samoa between Malietoa Tanumafili I (recognized

Background. After the death of his father Malietoa Laupepa, Malietoa Tanumafili I was immediately crowned, with Tupua Tamasese Lealofi I serving as vice-king. Tanumafili was declared "King of Samoa" (Tafaʻifa) by William Lea Chambers and recognized by Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, Mata'afa Iosefo returned from exile and was elected to power by a council of Samoan chiefs, with German support, challenging Tanumafili's claim to the throne.

Conflict and Naval Intervention. The dispute escalated into the Second Samoan Civil War. Naval forces from the United States and United Kingdom landed at Apia in support of Malietoa Tanumafili I against the German-backed Mata'afa Iosefo. The British and American consuls defied Mata'afa's declaration of kingship, and their naval ships and soldiers assisted in defeating him as the year 1898 came to a close. Skirmishes were fought and two villages destroyed as Samoan rebels retreated, with engagements occurring near the battlefield where Samoan rebels had defeated German troops in 1888.

Resolution and Partition. The war concluded in 1899 with the Tripartite Convention, which partitioned the Samoan Islands into American Samoa and German Samoa. The United States received the eastern section of the islands and Germany the western section, while the British were given the northern Solomon Islands of Choiseul, Isabel, and the Shortland Islands that had formerly belonged to Germany. Additionally, a joint commission of Germany, the United States, and Great Britain abolished the Samoan kingship in June 1899.