Why does Denmark Own Greenland? (Short Animated Documentary)

Summary by Krater

This video explains the historical ownership of Greenland from the Viking settlement to modern autonomy, detailing how it passed between Norway, Denmark, and the British and American spheres of influence.

From the video

Answers: How did Greenland become part of Denmark?

• Greenland history
• Danish realm
• Norwegian exploration
• Treaty of Kiel
• US purchase offers for Greenland

What it concludes

• By the 10th century, Norse Vikings settled Greenland and Leif Erikson later traveled to North America.
• During the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark sided with Napoleon, leading to the British attack on Copenhagen and the loss of Norway to Sweden via the Treaty of Kiel.
• In 1867 and after World War II, the United States made cash offers to buy Greenland and Iceland, but Denmark refused.
• In 1931, Norwegian explorers settled eastern Greenland, leading to an international arbitration case that ruled in favor of Denmark in 1933.
• Following World War II and US occupation, Greenland was formally incorporated into the Danish realm in 1953, gaining increasing autonomy over subsequent decades.