3 - Germans and Coconuts

Summary

In 1889, almost a decade before the Spanish-American War, the United States, Germany, and Great Britain agreed to enter into an imperial condominium in Samoa. Conventional wisdom credits American imperialism in Samoa to security motives and major economic interest groups within the United States. This chapter argues that American entrepreneurs shaped American imperialism in Samoa. It presents novel evidence that American entrepreneurs - especially H.J. Moors - entered the islands in pursuit of high copra prices and turned to lobbyists after facing threats from German competitors. They pressured officials in Washington and naval captains who visited the islands for action.