The Danish West
Indies’ Downfall: Unveiling the $25 Million Gold Transaction
When Christopher
Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1493,
he encountered a group of islands that he named “Las Vírgenes (The Virgins)” in honor of Saint
Ursula and her 11,000 virgins. Saint Ursula was a Christian martyr who,
according to legend, was accompanied by a large group of female followers.
Columbus named the islands after her in respect to her legacy. Over time, the
name “Las Virgenes” was Anglicized to “Virgin
Islands,” and it has since been widely used to refer to the group of
islands, including the United States Virgin Islands and
the British Virgin Islands.
From 1672 to 1917, Denmark maintained
a colony in the Caribbean known as the Danish West Indies. The history of the Danish West Indies is a captivating story that reveals
the background of colonization, the slave trade across the Atlantic Ocean, and the
complexities of Caribbean geopolitics. The
archipelago, comprising St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, served as a vessel
of European imperial ambitions, economic
exploitation, and cultural assimilation.
💻Table of Contents:
- Early Exploration and Colonization
- Economic Foundations
- Napoleonic Wars and British Occupation
- Resistance and Rebellion in Danish West Indies
- Abolition of Slavery in Danish West Indies
- The Sinking of the Lusitania: A Turning Point in U.S. Acquisition Plans
- Legacy and Cultural Impact
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| Danish West Indies |
Every March 31, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, including Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix,
remember “Transfer Day.” This is the
day when the United States bought these islands
from Denmark. The U.S. Virgin Islands is the only
permanently inhabited territory of the United States that was acquired through
a purchase from another imperial power. The negotiations between the U.S. and
Denmark lasted for more than 50 years before they finally agreed to transfer
control in 1917. This article delves into the multifaceted history of the
Danish West Indies, tracing its origins, the economic forces that shaped its
destiny, and the pivotal moments that ultimately led to its transfer to the
United States.
Early Exploration and Colonization:
The Danish West Indies can trace its
historical roots to the early 17th century when Denmark, like other European
powers, sought to expand its overseas territories. That time, sugar became a
highly coveted commodity in Europe. The kingdom of Denmark-Norway, aiming to
benefit from this sweet product, decided to back colonization endeavors in the
West Indies. In 1671, the West Indian Company was established in Copenhagen,
and in 1672, they established a settlement on the uninhabited island of St.
Thomas. In the years that ensued, the company concentrated on establishing
plantations and cultivating sugar cane on the island. Working in the hot
tropical climate was very difficult, and there were not enough workers
available, and they faced a scarcity of workers.
The scarcity of workers in the Danish
West Indies was resolved through one of the most horrific crimes against
humanity in world history: the transatlantic slave trade. Prior to colonizing
St. Thomas, Denmark had constructed forts on the west coast of Africa for the
purpose of trading goods, including enslaved Africans. This marked the
beginning of a large-scale trade and transportation of human beings across the
Atlantic, where they were purchased by plantation owners to labor in the production
of sugar. It is estimated that around 120,000 enslaved Africans were
transported to the Caribbean on Danish ships. Tragically, many did not survive
the treacherous journey, and those who did faced a harsh and brutal fate in the
sugarcane fields.
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| Steeple Building and Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse |
Over time, all the available land on
St. Thomas was cultivated, prompting the Danes to seek new territories for
plantation expansion. In 1718, they established a colony on the uninhabited
island of St. Jan (now St. John). However, the hilly landscapes of both St.
Thomas and St. Jan proved unsuitable for growing sugar cane. Recognizing the
need for a more conducive environment, Denmark-Norway decided to acquire the
flatter and more suitable island of St. Croix for sugar production. In 1733,
they purchased St. Croix from France, and these three islands together formed
the Danish West Indies.
Economic Foundations:
The islands quickly became important
to the Atlantic trade network, their economies driven by the lucrative
production of sugar, rum (a distilled alcoholic beverage), and other
commodities. Plantations increased, and the labor-intensive cultivation of
sugarcane became the foundation of the Danish West Indies’ economy.
Unfortunately, this economic success was built on the brutal foundations of the
transatlantic slave trade, as enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the
islands to work on the plantations.
Napoleonic Wars and British
Occupation:
The Danish West Indies faced
significant challenges in the early 19th century. The Napoleonic Wars brought
about a time of great turmoil, and Denmark found itself caught in the midst of
European conflicts. In 1807, due to concerns that Denmark might ally with
Napoleon, the British initiated an attack on the Danish fleet. As a strategic
maneuver to safeguard these valuable Caribbean territories and prevent them
from falling under French control, the British occupied the Danish West Indies in December, 1807. The British stayed in the Danish West Indies until November 20th, 1815, when they gave the islands back to Denmark.
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| The Port of St. Thomas |
Resistance and Rebellion in Danish
West Indies:
Enslaved Africans in the Danish West
Indies responded to their inhumane conditions with acts of resistance. Some
chose freedom by hiding in the bush or escaping to neighboring islands, a
practice known as “marooning.” There were also direct rebellions,
such as the 1733 uprising on St. Jan, where the enslaved population took
control of the entire island for over six months. The rebellion was ultimately
suppressed with the assistance of French and English neighbors. Today, the rebellion
of 1733 is commemorated through an annual Historic & Commemorative Tour on
St. John. Even after slavery was abolished in 1848, uprisings continued,
including the notable Fireburn rebellion of 1878 on St. Croix.
Abolition of Slavery in Danish West
Indies:
In 1848, a significant event took
place in the history of the Danish West Indies. Denmark made an important
decision to end slavery in its Caribbean colonies. This action, called
emancipation, was a progressive step that happened before other European
colonial powers took similar actions.
Denmark became the first country to ban the transportation of enslaved people across the Atlantic Ocean in 1803. However, it’s important to note that Denmark was not among the first nations to completely abolish slavery itself. This change brought its own set
of difficulties. With the end of slavery, there was a need to find a new source
of labor. The Danish authorities brought in workers from different parts of the
world as a solution to the labor shortage. This had a big impact on the
islands, changing the population and culture in significant ways.
The Sinking of the Lusitania: A
Turning Point in U.S. Acquisition Plans
Since 1867, the United States initiated
several attempts to acquire control over the Danish West Indies, which are now
known as the Virgin Islands. However, it took a long time for the islands to
become a part of the U.S. due to political challenges. Finally, on March 31,
1917, the islands were officially transferred from Denmark to the United
States.
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| Sinking of Lusitania |
But after the sinking of the Lusitania
on May 7, 1915, the U.S. became worried about the possibility of Germany taking
control of the Danish West Indies. The Lusitania was a British ocean ship that
was sunk by a German submarine near Ireland. The attack resulted in the loss of
nearly 1,200 lives, including 128 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania
played a significant role in increasing public sentiment against Germany and
ultimately influenced the United States’ decision to enter the war on the side
of the Allies.
President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary
of State Robert Lansing wanted to prevent the Germans from using the islands as
a base for naval or submarine attacks in the Caribbean and Atlantic. At first,
the Danish Minister, Constantin Brun, resisted the U.S. efforts in October
1915. However, the Danish government eventually agreed to Lansing’s terms because
they preferred a peaceful transfer rather than having their islands occupied.
On August 4, 1916, a treaty (Treaty of the Danish West Indies) was signed in New York, officially known as the Convention between the United States and Denmark for cession
of the Danish West Indies, and on March 31, 1917, the islands were
formally transferred ownership of the Virgin Islands in the Danish West Indies
from Denmark to the United States. In exchange for the islands, the United
States paid Denmark a sum of US$25,000,000 in gold (equivalent to approximately
$672 million in 2023). This treaty marks one of the more recent instances of
the United States expanding its territory on a permanent basis. This
transaction was motivated by strategic considerations, as the United States
sought to secure its interests in the Caribbean and prevent any potential
threat posed by European powers.
Legacy and Cultural Impact:
The history of the Danish West Indies
had a lasting impact on the cultural identity of the islands. The legacy of
slavery, the journey towards emancipation, and the shifts in ownership have all
contributed to the rich and dynamic cultural tapestry of the United States Virgin
Islands. The local traditions, languages, and customs vibrantly represent the
influence of historical events that have shaped these islands throughout the
centuries.
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| Signing check to Danish Gov’t. for purchase of Danish West Indies, March 1917 |
Conclusion:
The history of the Danish West Indies
is a captivating tale that stretches across centuries, encompassing the
intricacies of colonialism, economic exploitation, and geopolitical dynamics.
From the initial stages of European exploration to the eventual sale to the
United States in 1917, the islands experienced significant changes that molded their
identity and future. The narrative of the Danish West Indies stands as a
testament to the interwoven nature of global history and the lasting influence
of past events on the present reality of the United States Virgin Islands.
