Greenland until Danish colonization
The first Arctic peoples migrated to Greenland 4,500 years ago. Since then the Vikings from 986 AD to approximately 1400 AD. The Inuit has populated Greenland since the 1200s.
The Inuit has populated Greenland for the last approximately 800 years. Denmark colonized the island in 1721. In 1941, while occupied Denmark was unable to act, the USA took over the defence of Greenland and established two large air bases, among other things. After the war, the USA offered to buy Greenland for 100 million USD – an offer which Denmark rejected. Greenland was granted Home Rule in 1979, and in 2009 the current Self-Government was established which grants Greenland a large degree of autonomy.
In August 2019, the US government once again offered to buy Greenland.
On December 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump expressed that U.S. ownership and control of Greenland is essential for national security and global freedom.
History – Timeline
1814
1941
Greenland during World War II
In 1941 the USA takes over the defence of Greenland, as the occupied Denmark is powerless to act. The USA establishes 2 large air bases.
1941
1946
USA Offers to Buy Greenland
In 1946 Denmark rejects the offer of the USA to buy Greenland for the price of 100 million USD, but in 1951 the USA is granted permission to establish Thule Air Base.
1953
The Abolition of Greenland’s Status as a Colony
According to the new Danish constitution Greenland is granted status as a Danish country since 1953, and the Greenlanders are given Danish citizenship.
1953
1979
Home Rule and Self-Government
In 1979, Home Rule is put into effect in Greenland and in 2009 Greenland is granted Self-Government and thus gains a large degree of autonomy.
2019
Renewed American Interest in Greenland
President Trump confirms on the 18th of August 2019 the interest of the USA in buying Greenland, which is blankly rejected by the Greenlandic and Danish governments.
2019
2024
Trump Calls Greenland ‘Essential’ for U.S. Security
On December 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump expressed that U.S. ownership and control of Greenland is essential for national security and global freedom.
2025
Donald Trump Jr.’s Visit Sparks U.S. Interest in Greenland
On January 7, 2025, Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland, describing it as a private trip. However, the visit inevitably drew international attention, reigniting discussions about American interest in Greenland, including its strategic, economic, and geopolitical relevance.
2025
Greenland during World War II
During World War II, Greenland was ruled by the posted Danish official Eske Bruun. No supplies could be received from Denmark, and Denmark could no longer exercise its sovereignty over the island. On the 11th of April 1941, the Danish envoy in Washington, Henrik Kauffmann, went against the wish of the Danish government and signed the ‘Greenland Treaty’ that transferred the defence of Greenland to the USA. The island could then receive supplies via USA and Canada.
After the USA declared war on Nazi Germany on the 11th of December 1941 and thus became an active part in World War II, the USA began to establish military airbases in Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, among other places. The two bases became very important for the allied forces during the war, as Narsarsuaq especially came to serve as a military hospital for wounded soldiers on their way from Europe to the USA.
THE USA Offers to Buy Greenland
In 1946, as the Cold War was in its inception, the USA, with President Truman at the forefront, offered to buy Greenland for the price of 100 million USD in gold based on strong military and geo-political interests, but this was rejected by the Danish government. The USA and Denmark did, however, reach an agreement that allowed the USA to establish Thule Air Base in the northernmost part of Greenland in 1951.
The two countries had previously entered into land deals when Denmark, in 1917, sold the Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands) to the USA for 25 million USD. The Self-Government Act from 2009 states that Greenlanders are their own people, and thus Denmark cannot ‘sell’ the country over the head of Greenland’s Self-Government. In fact, the transfer of sovereignty over land through sales has not been practiced globally for many decades.
The Abolition of Greenland’s Status as a Colony
In 1953, Greenland’s status as a colony was abolished and Greenland became a country of the Danish kingdom. At the same time Greenlanders were given Danish citizenship. The abolition of the status as a colony is an important indication that Greenland is now considered an equal part of the Danish kingdom.
Home Rule and Self-Government
On the 1st of May 1979 Greenland was granted Home Rule and thereby its own parliament, and on the 21st of June 2009 the Self-Government was put into effect and Greenland took on even more responsibilities. The introduction of Self-Government also meant that the Greenlandic people were now recognised as an independent people under international law, which is a prerequisite for them to be able to secede and form a new independent state at any given time. In the Greenlandic parliament there is a majority for the country to move towards independence from Denmark once certain necessary prerequisites are in place.
Renewed American Interest in Greenland
On the 18th of August 2019 it came to light that President Donald Trump had discussed the possibility of buying Greenland with his advisors. In a TV interview the President said that Greenland “would be strategically nice [for the USA to own]”. Both the Danish and the Greenlandic governments have rejected that this could be considered – “Greenland is not for sale” – as they say.
On December 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump expressed that U.S. ownership and control of Greenland was “an absolute necessity” for national security and global freedom, sparking renewed debate over American interest in the Arctic island. Learn more →
In response, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, firmly rejected the notion, stating, “Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale.” These comments have drawn significant international attention, highlighting Greenland’s strategic importance in geopolitics. Read more →
