Danish West Indies

Quick Facts: Who was Danish West Indies?

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Danish West Indies

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A Danish Caribbean colony (1672–1917), later becoming US Virgin Islands.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Danish West Indies (Danish: Dansk Vestindien), also known as the Danish Virgin Islands (Danish: Danske Jomfruøer) or the Danish Antilles, were a Danish colony in the Caribbean, consisting of the islands of Saint Thomas with 83 square kilometres (32 sq mi), Saint John (Danish: St. Jan) with 49 square kilometres (19 sq mi), and Saint Croix with 220 square kilometres (85 sq mi). The islands were purchased by the United States in 1917 and became known as the United States Virgin Islands. An exception for this was Water Island, which was bought by the US Government in 1944, and became part of the US Virgin Islands in 1996.

Career & Major Achievements

The Danish West India-Guinea Company annexed uninhabited St. Thomas in 1672. It annexed St. John in 1718 and bought St. Croix from France (King Louis XV) on 28 June 1733.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

When the Danish West India-Guinea Company went bankrupt in 1754, King Frederik V of Denmark–Norway assumed direct control of the three islands. Although, during the Napoleonic Wars, Britain twice occupied the Danish West Indies, first in 1801–1802 and again in 1807–1815.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1733: 1733 Milestone — Croix from France (King Louis XV) on 28 June 1733.
2. 1754: 1754 Milestone — When the Danish West India-Guinea Company went bankrupt in 1754, King Frederik V of Denmark–Norway assumed direct control of the three islands.
3. 1801: 1801 Milestone — Although, during the Napoleonic Wars, Britain twice occupied the Danish West Indies, first in 1801–1802 and again in 1807–1815.
4. 1917: 1917 Milestone — The islands were purchased by the United States in 1917 and became known as the United States Virgin Islands.
5. 1944: 1944 Milestone — An exception for this was Water Island, which was bought by the US Government in 1944, and became part of the US Virgin Islands in 1996.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Danish West Indies

True or False: “True or false: The Danish West Indies were purchased by the United States in 1917, ending their Danish colonial status.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This is true; the purchase in 1917 marked the end of the colony's Danish administration and its transition to US territory.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Danish West Indies