The events that link Greenland to Denmark

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Published 19.37

 

           

           

          The Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede arrived in Greenland in 1721. The modern                      connection between Greenland and Denmark began then.

          1 / 2Photo: Svd/TT/AP (Montage)

Donald Trump has questioned the historical ties between Denmark and Greenland - instead, the US president wants the island to belong to the US.

Here are the years that decided Greenland's fate.

1721

The Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede arrives on the island, and the modern connection between Denmark and Greenland begins. Until 1814, Norway was administratively part of Denmark and the Danish-Norwegian commitment was further strengthened during the late 18th century.

Several times during the winter, the President of the United States has claimed that not only Denmark, but also the United States, 300 years ago was in Greenland "with boats".

- It is a strange argument because the USA did not exist 300 years ago. They were European colonies at the time, says Søren Rud, lecturer in history at the University of Copenhagen.

1921

During the first part of the 20th century, Denmark works for a more international recognition of Greenland as a Danish colony. The 200th anniversary of Egede's arrival was seen as a good time to declare sovereignty over all of Greenland.

- When Denmark negotiated the sale of the Danish West Indies to the United States (1917), Denmark received a declaration from the United States that it would not oppose Denmark expanding its influence and activities in Greenland.

1933

A dispute with Norway, which disputed Danish sovereignty over Greenland's east coast, is being decided in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

- The court recognized Denmark's right to the eastern part of Greenland as well, says Rud, referring to the UN court ICJ's predecessor, the Permanent International Court of Justice.

1951

During the Second World War - when Denmark is occupied by Germany - a Danish diplomat concludes an agreement with the United States that allows the Americans to establish military bases in Greenland. After the war, the US wants to buy Greenland. The talks end with a new agreement in 1951 - within the framework of NATO - which assumes that Greenland is Danish, but that the US gets far-reaching military rights to help with the island's defense. It is this agreement that will now be renegotiated.

1953–1954

Greenland ceases to be a colony and becomes part of Denmark, with UN and US approval.

1979/2009

In a process towards becoming more independent, Greenland gets limited self-government at the end of the 70s and self-government at the end of the 00s.

- The Greenlanders have taken steps towards political self-determination within the Danish kingdom, and in principle they have the right to decide whether they want to separate from Denmark, says Rud and notes:

- Trump speaks from a position that does not recognize Greenland's right to self-determination or the political process Greenland has undergone. He focuses on the right to territory based on who came first, rather than on the inhabitants and their political ambitions.