After Samoa became a colony in 1925, the Colonial Act was implemented, causing many issues as it failed to acknowledge the realities of Samoa. In 1929, during protests, Prince Tamasese was killed by New Zealand violence, which led to increasing momentum to oppose the colonial law and pursue independence and self-government by Samoans.
Samoa appealed to New Zealand and the United States for independence. In 1948, the Samoan flag was allowed to fly next to the New Zealand flag, and in 1954, the Samoan National Assembly was established, though only chiefs had the right to vote at that time.
Autonomy was granted in 1961, and in 1962, independence was achieved. In 1991, all adult Samoans were granted the right to vote.