By: Okoi Obono Obla The United States of America has expressed its resolve to acquire Greenland, whose sovereignty presently li...
By: Okoi Obono Obla
The United States of America has expressed its resolve to acquire Greenland, whose sovereignty presently lies with the Kingdom of Denmark, either through military or financial means. However, Greenlanders have firmly rejected any such proposal. They have flatly opposed deals—whether military or financial—that would make them Americans.
Greenland, with a population of about 55,000 inhabitants, is fiercely nationalist.
Many Greenlanders even desire full independence from Denmark rather than integration into another state.
The United States insists that its interest in Greenland is rooted in national strategic concerns. This has long been the principal motive behind its desire for the island. Greenland was of great importance to the USA during World War II, when American forces established military bases there to secure transatlantic routes and monitor German activity. Its significance continued during the Cold War, as Greenland’s location made it a vital outpost for monitoring Soviet movements in the Arctic. The Thule Air Base, established in 1951, remains a cornerstone of U.S. military presence in Greenland.
Historically, the United States has expanded its territory through purchases and annexations. For example:
- Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867.
- The U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917.
- Texas was an independent republic from 1836 to 1845, before joining the Union.
These precedents explain why American leaders have occasionally considered acquiring Greenland. In fact, the U.S. government explored the idea multiple times—in 1867, 1946, and more recently in 2019 and 2025—but Denmark has consistently rejected such proposals. Greenland’s leaders have also made clear that they will not accept any arrangement that compromises their sovereignty.
Conclusion:
Greenland remains strategically important to the United States, but both Denmark and Greenland’s own people have strongly resisted American ambitions. While the U.S. has successfully expanded its territory through purchases in the past, Greenland’s nationalist sentiment and Denmark’s firm stance make such an acquisition highly unlikely.
@ Okoi Obono-Obla
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