A chronology of key events in the history of Samoa. The Mau movement began in 1908 with the ‘Mau a Pule' resistance on Savai'i, led by orator chief Lauaki Namulau'ulu Mamoe. Lauaki and Mau a Pule chiefs, wives and children were exiled to Saipan in 1909. The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the first half of the 20th century. District councils, village committees, and women’s welfare committees established by the administration halted their regular meetings and formed their own Mau ‘police force’. Following a change of government (and policy) in NZ, Western Samoa’s independence was acknowledged as inevitable and even desirable, and in 1959 Prime Minister Fiame Mata’afa was appointed. Mau means 'opinion,' 'unwavering,' 'to be decided,' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan.The motto for the Mau were the words Samoa mo Samoa (Samoa for the Samoans). By 1920, New Zealand had already organized a colonial administration in District councils, village committees, and women's welfare committees established by the administration halted their regular meetings and formed their own Mau 'police force'. The Mau then began a multifaceted resistance campaign. Broadly, the history of the Mau movement can be seen as beginning in the 1800s with European contact and the advent of Western powers, Britain, United States and Germany, vying for control of the Pacific nation. American Samoa - American Samoa - Government and society: Because American Samoa is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States, not all provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply. After World War I, during the time of the Mau movement in Western Samoa (then a New Zealand protectorate), there was a corresponding American Samoa Mau movement, led by Samuel Sailele Ripley, who was from Leone village and was a World War I war veteran. Other articles where Mau a Pule is discussed: Samoa: European influence: …began in 1908 with the Mau a Pule, a movement led by the orator chief Lauaki Namulau’ulu. American Samoa Mau movement. The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the early 1900s. Although there was an American Samoa Mau movement for independence during the 1920’s, it was less volatile than the original Mau movement in the future nation of Samoa, which then governed by New Zealand and quickly suppressed. History. A chronology of key events in the history of Samoa. Ethnic Samoans assumed a greater role in the Mau movement, as Europeans were less willing to hold public roles. ... 1928 - New Zealand authorities shoot dead 11 members of the mau passive resistance movement. Ethnic Samoans assumed a greater role in the Mau movement, as Europeans were less willing to hold public roles. The motto for the Mau were the words Samoa mo Samoa (Samoa for Samoa).. The word 'Mau' means 'opinion' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan. The matai were dissatisfied with the German governor’s attempts to change the fa’a Samoa and centralize all authority in his hands. The Mau then began a multifaceted resistance campaign. From 1908, with the establishment of the Mau movement ("opinion movement"), Western Samoans began to assert their claim to independence. The Mau was a movement led by Samoan citizens for their independence from colonial rule during the first half of the 20th century. Mau Movement. A Brief Definition: Mau means testimony or to be firm. Increasing calls for independence by the Mau Movement culminated in the authorities opening fire on a demonstration at the courthouse in Apia in 1929. What is the Mau? Moreover, the United States has not provided an organic (charter) act setting forth a system of government. After the governor called in warships, Lauaki and nine of his leading… After World War I, during the time of the Mau movement in Western Samoa (then a League of Nations mandate governed by New Zealand), there was a corresponding American Samoa Mau movement led by Samuelu Ripley, a World War I veteran who was from Leone village, Tutuila. Exiled leader Samuelu Ripley was eventually elected mayor of Richmond, California.