Samoan Civil War

Samoan conflicts of 1887–1889 and 1893–1894
Date 1886–1894 Location Samoa Result Malietoa Laupepa restored to power in 1889 Berlin General Act creates new government structure Challenges to Laupepa's authority in 1893–1894 defeated
Belligerents
1887–1889 Supporters of Mata'afa Supported by: United States	1887–1889 Supporters of Tupua Tamasese  German Empire
1893–1894 Supporters of Mata'afa (1893) Supporters of Tamasese Lealofi (1894)	1893–1894 Supporters of M. Laupepa Supported by:  German Empire  British Empire United States
Commanders and leaders
Mata'afa Iosefo (1886–1893) TT. Lealofi I (1894)	TT. Titimaea (1886–1889) Laupepa (1889–1894) Eugen Brandeis (1887–1889)[1]

The turbulent decades of the late 19th century saw several conflicts between rival Samoan factions in the Samoan Islands of the South Pacific. The political struggle lasted roughly between 1886 and 1894, primarily between Samoans contesting whether Malietoa Laupepa, Mata'afa Iosefo or a member of the Tupua Tamasese dynasty would be King of Samoa. While largely a political struggle, there were also armed skirmishes between the factions. The military of the German Empire intervened on several occasions. A naval standoff between the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom ensued.

Malietoa Laupepa ascended to the kingship in 1881. However, relations between him and the German Empire collapsed in 1885–1886, and the Germans arranged his exile from the Samoan Islands in 1887. In Laupepa's absence, the Germans supported Tamasese's claim to leadership while Mata'afa formed a rival government weakly supported by the United States. After the 1889 Apia cyclone destroyed six of the German and American ships stationed at Samoa, the three Western countries decided that the counterproductive fighting should cease, and that Laupepa would be restored to the kingship. The struggle resumed in 1893–1894. Laupepa maintained his position against the challengers of Mata'afa and the new Tamasese heir. Mata'afa was exiled and Tamasese's rebellion was quashed, restoring peace, albeit temporarily.