A Century After the Virgin Islands Sale, Greenland Looms Large in US-Denmark Relations
Today, , discussions surrounding potential U.S. Access to Greenland echo a deal struck with Denmark exactly a century earlier: the 1917 purchase of the Danish West Indies, now the U.S. Virgin Islands. That transaction, which included what would later become known as Jeffrey Epstein’s island, established a precedent for the United States acquiring territory from Denmark and is now being revisited as President Donald Trump explores a “framework of a future deal” regarding Greenland.
In 1917, the United States paid Denmark $25 million in gold for the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, a deal finalized through the Treaty of the Danish West Indies. According to historical accounts, the purchase wasn’t a straightforward negotiation. Reports suggest that implied threats of forceful acquisition were used to persuade Denmark to sell.
The acquisition of the Virgin Islands wasn’t solely about expanding U.S. Territory. It was strategically motivated, providing the U.S. With a crucial Caribbean outpost. Following the purchase, the islands served for decades as a strategic Caribbean outpost for the United States military and a hub of naval operations. This strategic importance mirrors the current rationale behind renewed U.S. Interest in Greenland, which is seen as vital for national security.
Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands are watching the unfolding situation with Greenland with a sense of déjà vu. Stephanie Chalana Brown, an Afro-Caribbean visual historian with deep roots in the U.S. Virgin Islands, noted, “History never repeats itself in the same way, but it shows up in a different form.” Brown’s ancestors were among those first enslaved by Danish colonial powers, and she is now involved in efforts to secure reparations from Denmark.
Brown expressed concern that Greenland residents could face a similar fate to her ancestors – having decisions about the future use of their land made without their full consent. This sentiment highlights a recurring theme in the relationship between the U.S. And Denmark: the potential for a larger power to exert its influence over a smaller territory.
The 1917 deal wasn’t just about strategic military positioning. The purchase also came after decades of American interest in the islands, beginning in the years following the Civil War. At that time, the U.S. Had been expanding westward with the acquisition of Alaska, but officials felt the Atlantic flank remained vulnerable. The Danish West Indies were seen as a way to protect U.S. Shipping lanes and emerging interests in the region.
The parallels between the 1917 Virgin Islands transaction and the current discussions surrounding Greenland are striking. Both involve a powerful nation seeking to acquire territory from Denmark for strategic reasons. However, the stakes today may feel even higher, as global geopolitical tensions and the potential for resource exploitation add layers of complexity to the situation.
The story of the Virgin Islands purchase also offers a glimpse into the long-term consequences of such transactions. Traces of Denmark’s 250-year imperial reign remain visible on the islands today, from Danish names on city streets and buildings to the remnants of sugar plantations where enslaved Africans were forced to labor. These historical markers serve as a reminder of the complex legacy of colonialism and the importance of considering the perspectives of those whose lands are being negotiated over.
As President Trump pursues a potential deal with Denmark regarding Greenland, the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands offer a cautionary tale, urging a careful consideration of history and the potential impact on the people whose future is at stake. The 1917 purchase, they suggest, isn’t just a historical footnote, but a blueprint – and a warning.
