U.S.+Virgin+Islands+-+Ji+Eun






 * BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS**

1. English authority 2. Danish (Denmark) authority: //St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island// "The U.S. Virgin Islands."
 * The U.S. Virgin Islands were originally divided into two territories:**
 * The four territories within the Danish territory were the four islands that are now known as

March 31, 1917. HOWEVER! THEN! A couple of years later... (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island) by paying $25 million.**
 * IMPORTANT DATES:**
 * DATE OF THE EXPANSION?**
 * Since 1867**: the United states have made several attempts to expand its territory all the way to the Virgin Islands.
 * 1867**: Secretary of State William Henry Seward made an attempt to make the Danish West Indies as a part of his future planning for territorial expansion. He submitted an treaty to acquire the Danish West Indies. However, due to the U.S. Senate's anger over Seward's support of President Johnson the treaty was rejected.
 * 1900 & 1902**: U.S Secretary of State John Hay became interested in expanding the territory to the islands because they secured the route for the future Panama Canal. He also submitted a treaty but then due to the lack of support from the upper house of the Danish parliament and lack of contents in the treaty made the U.S purchase of the Danish West Indies to be delayed again.
 * 1915**: U.S president and the Secretary of State Robert Lansing realized how important the purchase of the Danish West Indies was for the U.S foreign policy. The U.S was afraid that Germany would conquer Denmark during the World Wars I and II and that Germany would take over Denmark's foreign dependencies.
 * 1917**: Lansing threatened the Danish government by saying that the islands must be occupied with the U.S to prevent their seizure by Germany. Since Danish government was willing a peaceful negotiation, the government said yes and thus the four islands were occupied by the U.S and became what is now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 * On March 31, 1917, the U.S purchased the Danish part

//Negative:// When Danish government and the U.S were making negotiations, the Danish government wanted the U.S to guarantee the local people legal rights and U.S citizenship. However Lansing refused to follow the requests by saying that the issues fall under the jurisdiction of Congress and thus can't be guaranteed by treaty. The local islanders had to wait for approximately 10 more years till they were considered as American citizens.
 * WHAT CHANGES: IMPACTS ON THE INHABITANTS & THE ISLANDS**

//Positive:// 1.There was a significant political change that was made in the Virgin Islands after the purchase of the U.S. Until 1968, the residents of the U.S Virgin Islands were under direct and strict control of the U.S government. The islands were run by Naval administrators and appointed officials. They didn’t have rights to elect their own governors. However in 1968, the islanders were first allowed to elect their own governor. Before then, the governors were elected first by the navy and then chosen by the interior department. But in 1968 the islanders could choose the governor on their own.

2. Before the United States expanded its territory to the Virgin Islands, destructive and tense riots, decline in economy & population, poor economy, and numerous diseases were common in the islands. However after the U.S purchase of the islands, all situations improved and the islands were militarily improved.

Nowadays, the US Virgin Islands are one of the most well-known tourist sites in the United States. The mid 1900s was the climax of the prosperous times that the US Virgin Islands had. Due to massive tourism, business and economy of not only the islands but the whole United States have improved. The population has also increased because of the immigrants coming from the Caribbean.
 * EFFECT ON THE U.S:**

Even though there were many conflicts in the process that could’ve led to failure of the expansion, the adding of the islands to the territory of the United States was positive. In past days, the adding of the islands allowed the United States to secure one of its international allies and guarantee the route for the Panama Canal. Although the islanders have complained their lack of right as citizens, the problem was eventually solved. In modern times, the adding of the islands has helped the United States to improve its economy and business and increase its population. Therefore, as a whole, the expansion was positive.
 * WAS THE EXPANSION POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE?**

**SOURCES:** Lonely Planet Publications, "Map of US Virgin Islands." Map of US Virgin Islands. 26 Aug 2009 .

U.S. Department of State, "Purchase of the United States Virgin Islands, 1917 ." U.S. Department of State. 26 August 2009. 26 Aug 2009 .

Vinow.com, "Brief History of the Virgin Islands." History of the United States Virgin Islands. 2009. 26 Aug 2009 .

Wayfaring Travel Journal, "U.S. Virgin Islands are the most popular destination in the Caribbean." Wayfaring travel guide. 2008. 26 Aug 2009 .

Wikipedia, "History of the United States Virgin Islands." Wikipedia. 12 August 2009. 26 Aug 2009 .

Wikipedia, "United States Virgin Islands." United States Virgin Islands. 25 August 2009. 26 Aug 2009 .