In recent times, the status of Greenland’s sovereignty has been called into question, largely thanks to the reinstated Trump administration. It might come as a surprise, but the United States Government’s interest in the Land of the Midnight Sun isn’t new, rather it dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The American desire for territorial expansion in the 1800s can be realized through the concept of manifest destiny, which promoted settlement across the entire continent via the western frontier of North America; not only for resources but out of a belief that it was the fate of the young republic to do so. But what is less well known is that these desires extended beyond the borders we now see. In recounting the history of American interests in purchasing Greenland, we can contextualize the current administration’s objectives.

Northern Expansion

Following the American Civil War, the federal government looked north for territorial growth. The earliest mention of interest in Greenland in the federal government comes from a report commissioned by Secretary of State William Seward, who is historically known for his folly in 1868. The report cited several boons to the United States if it obtained the island. Previously, in 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire, signifying a coordinated northern expansion strategy. Several years later, in 1910, United States ambassador Maurice Egan proposed a swap of territory with Denmark, offering to exchange the Philippines for Greenland and the Danish West Indies. However, the proposal fell through. During this period, the United States’ primary interests in Greenland were in resources, specifically the vast mineral wealth and animal products on the island. 

Further steps to make an American-Greenland didn’t materialize until the Second World War. In 1940, Denmark was occupied by German forces. In response to this, the following year, American forces took control of Greenland, in accordance with the previously established Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was the 1823 message from President James Monroe to the Western European powers, warning them to accept the American sphere of influence in the New World. The United States Government then signed the Defense of Greenland, which responded to concerns that the island could be used as a stepping stone to threaten the rest of North America. 

While this agreement recognizes the dominion of the Danish Crown over the territory, it establishes America’s role as protector of Greenland while it was under threat from Nazi Germany. The agreement gave America the right to assist Greenland and maintain its existence during the war. America was permitted to construct various projects to achieve this goal, such as airfields and communication centers. However, this agreement was temporary, as it hinged on the common threat posed by Nazi Germany at the time and was later replaced in 1951 due to a new defense agreement based on the newly created North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 

In 1946, the desire to purchase Greenland manifested again, with Owen Brewster, a senator from Maine, calling it a “military necessity.” The State Department under John Hickerson also categorized Greenland as “indispensable to the safety of the United States.” Acting on these notions, America proposed a purchase of Greenland for 100 million dollars in gold, to which Denmark rejected. The original protection agreement with Denmark was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States’ interest in Greenland, laying the foundation for a permanent American presence by establishing United States-controlled military bases and furthering the discussion of American control of the island.

Greenland and the Cold War

The previously mentioned 1951 agreement with NATO marked the initial foray into the Cold War for Greenland, which was firmly within the American sphere of global influence. The United States previously held the authority to construct military installations during World War II. With approval from the Kingdom of Denmark, the Thule Air Base and Camp Century were Built. Notably, according to the Arctic Institute of Circumpolar Security Studies, a primary object of the American-Greenland partnership was the development of anti-missile systems included in Project Ice Worm. 

Denmark leveraged the strategic value of Greenland to pay less than its fellow NATO members for collective defense. NATO spending has regained relevance recently due to the Trump administration’s push to increase spending from member states. Greenland was located in a tactically invaluable position. This was recognized by both the United States and Denmark, and it had a profound impact on relations between the two countries during the Cold War era. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent end of the Cold War, American attention on Greenland dissipated for decades. 

Modern Aspirations for Greenland

The conclusion of the Cold War led to a shift in American geopolitical focus. In 2019, the first Trump administration formulated a proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark, rekindling interest and a possible desire for an increased American presence in the country. Both the Danish and Greenlandic governments rejected the idea, but the second Trump administration has continued to express interest in acquiring the island. In 2024, President-Elect Donald Trump restated his goal of annexing Greenland, describing the move as “essential for national security and global freedom.” The prospect remains contentious within the United States and across the pond in both Denmark and Greenland.
America faces numerous challenges in its efforts to establish a foothold in Greenland, especially as discourse surrounding Greenlandic independence continues to gain traction, both domestically and internationally. The island’s current ruling party actively seeks eventual independence from Denmark, complicating future negotiations. The outcome of this saga remains uncertain. Still, if the geopolitical landscape shifts and the United States can present itself as a partner aligned with the aspirations of the Greenlandic people, then the Land of the Midnight Sun may yet rise into a new chapter, one of American dawn.