Greenland, a vast island covered mostly in ice and located in the Arctic, might seem like a remote, uninhabited land to many. But for over a century, the United States has repeatedly attempted to acquire it. While the U.S. has successfully expanded its territory throughout history, the island remains one acquisition that has never come to fruition. Despite several failed attempts and Denmark’s strong resistance, this Arctic land continues to be a prized asset for the United States. So why is it so desirable, and why has it been on the U.S. wishlist for so long?
A History of U.S. Territorial Expansion
The story of the United States’ interest in Greenland is rooted in the country’s history of territorial expansion. Since its founding, the U.S. has sought to grow its territory for both economic and strategic reasons.
Early U.S. Expansion
The United States began expanding its territory soon after its formation. In 1803, the U.S. made one of its most famous territorial acquisitions: the Louisiana Purchase. The U.S. bought a massive piece of land from France that doubled the size of the country and laid the foundation for the nation’s westward expansion.
Another notable acquisition occurred in 1867, when the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. While some criticized the purchase at the time, calling it “Seward’s Folly” after the U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, Alaska would later prove to be an incredibly valuable asset because of its natural resources, including oil and gas.
Territorial Acquisitions in the Caribbean
The U.S. continued to expand throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1917, the U.S. bought the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million. This purchase helped the U.S. strengthen its position in the Caribbean, an important region for trade and military strategy.
With these major territorial acquisitions, it is not surprising that Greenland—another piece of land controlled by Denmark—would eventually come onto the U.S. radar. The island is geographically important, located in the Arctic, making it a key strategic location for military and trade purposes.
Early Attempts to Acquire Greenland
Greenland became a serious consideration for U.S. officials as early as the mid-1800s. The idea was not a new one, and several attempts were made over the years to acquire the island.
The 1867 Attempt: The First Serious Proposal
The first significant mention of acquiring Greenland came during President Andrew Johnson’s administration in 1867, the same year that the U.S. purchased Alaska. The U.S. government expressed interest in the island, even discussing the possibility of buying both Greenland and Iceland from Denmark for $5.5 million. In fact, negotiations nearly took place, but the idea was ultimately put on hold due to political challenges in the U.S. Congress at the time. The U.S. was still recovering from the Civil War and had other priorities. As a result, the deal fell apart, and Greenland remained in Danish hands.
The 1910 Attempt: A Land Swap Proposal
The idea of acquiring Greenland came up again in 1910 under President William Taft. This time, the U.S. proposed a land swap with Denmark. The U.S. would give up the Philippine island of Mindanao in exchange for Greenland and the Danish West Indies (now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands). Though the U.S. and Denmark discussed this possibility, the deal ultimately did not go through. Instead, the U.S. only gained the Caribbean islands, and the Arctic island was once again left off the table.
World War II: Greenland’s Strategic Importance Grows
The most significant attempt by the U.S. to secure Greenland came during World War II when Germany occupied Denmark. The island became crucial due to its location and the threat of Nazi forces using it as a base.
1941 U.S. Occupation of Greenland
With Nazi Germany expanding across Europe, the U.S. worried that Greenland could become a military base for the Nazis. In 1941, with Denmark occupied by Germany, the U.S. began to take action. The U.S. received permission from Denmark to establish military bases on the island to protect it from a possible German invasion. These bases became vital for the U.S. military’s efforts in the Arctic and to monitor enemy activities.
1946: The $100 Million Offer
At the end of World War II, President Harry Truman made another serious attempt to acquire Greenland. Truman offered $100 million to Denmark for the purchase of the island, citing its importance as a strategic military location in the post-war world. This time, the offer was rejected by Denmark, and once again, the U.S. was unable to gain control of Greenland. However, the U.S. did manage to keep military bases on the island, such as the Thule Air Base, which remains operational today.
The 2019 Proposal: A Surprise Attempt by President Trump
The idea of purchasing Greenland was revived in 2019 under President Donald Trump. Trump made a formal offer to Denmark to purchase the island, surprising many. The offer was seen by many as a bold and somewhat unconventional move, especially since Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark with a population that has consistently expressed disinterest in becoming part of the U.S.
Denmark’s Rejection and Diplomatic Fallout
Denmark swiftly rejected the offer, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling it “absurd.” The rejection sparked tension between the U.S. and Denmark, with Trump even canceling a planned state visit to Denmark in response. Once again, Greenland’s status as a Danish territory was reaffirmed, and the idea of selling the island was dismissed.
Why Does the U.S. Want Greenland?
The U.S. has consistently sought to acquire Greenland due to two primary factors: military strategy and natural resources.
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Strategic Military Location
Greenland’s location makes it a highly strategic asset for the U.S. The island sits between North America and Europe, making it a key location for monitoring military activities in the Arctic and surrounding regions. During the Cold War, the U.S. used Greenland to keep an eye on Soviet activities, and it continues to be an important military base. The Thule Air Base on the island is one of the most important U.S. military installations in the Arctic, monitoring missile defense and serving as an early warning station for threats. Full control of Greenland would give the U.S. even greater influence over the Arctic region, especially as tensions rise with Russia and China.
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Access to Valuable Natural Resources
Greenland is rich in natural resources, particularly rare earth elements (REEs)—17 metals that are crucial to technologies like smartphones, electric cars, and military equipment. These resources have become increasingly valuable as the world transitions to renewable energy and as demand for these metals continues to grow.
Climate change has also made Greenland’s resources more accessible. As the Arctic ice melts, new trade routes are opening, making it easier to extract resources from the region. The U.S. sees the island as a potential source of these rare earth elements, which would reduce its dependence on China, the world’s largest producer of REEs.
In addition to rare earth elements, the island is believed to have other valuable resources, such as oil, natural gas, and minerals. These resources make the island a highly attractive target for countries looking to secure their energy future.
Greenland’s Resistance: The Principle of Self-Determination
Despite the U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, there is a major obstacle: Greenland itself. The island has increasingly sought greater autonomy from Denmark.
A Self-Governing Territory
In 2009, Greenland gained more powers of self-rule, including control over its domestic affairs, while Denmark continued to manage foreign and defense policy. Greenland’s people now elect representatives to the Danish Parliament, giving them a voice in how the island is governed.
Most importantly, Greenland’s inhabitants have expressed strong opposition to becoming part of the U.S. A 2019 poll revealed that 85% of Greenlanders opposed joining the United States, with many preferring to retain their current relationship with Denmark or seek full independence.
The principle of self-determination, recognized by international law, means that any attempt to acquire the island without the consent of its people would be a violation of their rights. The people of Greenland have the right to decide their own political future, and they have made it clear that they do not want to become part of the U.S.
