The Mau Movement in Samoa (1920s-1962)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, events, and figures from the Mau Movement as described in the notes.

Mau Movement

A peaceful campaign in Samoa (1926–1932) against New Zealand rule seeking self-government; slogan 'Samoa for Samoans' led by Olaf F. Nelson and Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III; contributed to Samoa's eventual independence.

Western Samoa independence 1962

Western Samoa gained independence from New Zealand in 1962; the eastern Samoan islands remained under U.S. control as American Samoa.

O.F. Nelson

Olaf Frederick Nelson, Samoan businessman and Mau leader who organized petitions to New Zealand and the League of Nations and was exiled; helped draw international attention to Samoa’s struggle.

Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III

Chief leader of the Mau after Nelson’s exile; promoted peaceful resistance, led the Black Saturday march, and was killed; his dying words emphasized peace.

Black Saturday (1929)

A peaceful Mau march in Apia where police fired on protesters, killing 11 Samoans and a New Zealand officer, prompting a harsher crackdown.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Logan

First New Zealand administrator in Samoa after 1914; very strict; did not quarantine the influenza-carrying ship SS Talune in 1918, contributing to a deadly epidemic.

Colonel Stephen Allen

New Zealand administrator (from 1928) who opposed the Mau, declared the movement illegal, and sought to stop peaceful protests; involved in the Black Saturday aftermath.

Major-General George Richardson

NZ administrator in the early 1920s who banned many Samoan customs (malaga travel, cricket) and removed chiefs' titles; arrested Mau leaders and believed Samoa could not govern themselves.

Malaga

Samoan term for travel; ban on travel imposed by NZ authorities as part of undermining traditional life.

Afakasi

People of mixed Samoan and European heritage; among those unhappy about alcohol bans and part of the broader discontent fueling Mau.

Samoa for Samoans

Mau slogan asserting that Samoa should be governed by Samoans for Samoans, not outsiders.

1926–1927 Meetings in Apia

The Mau movement began with peaceful meetings in Apia in 1926 and, by 1927, became the formal Mau with broad support (roughly 90% of the population).

Petitions to the League of Nations

Petitions sent by Olaf Nelson and Mau leadership seeking justice for Samoa, increasing international attention to the movement.

Influenza Epidemic of 1918 in Samoa

Deadly outbreak during NZ rule that killed about 8,500–9,000 Samoans, linked to governance decisions such as quarantine failures.

Removal of chiefs’ titles

Policy under Major-General George Richardson that removed traditional Samoan titles, weakening local authority and fueling resistance.

Long-term impact of Mau

Strengthened Samoan pride and unity; contributed to Western Samoa’s independence in 1962 and helped preserve Samoan culture under foreign rule.