Explained: History of Greenland — From Inuit Homeland to U.S. Arctic Frontline

In ABC Research
January 7, 2026
Team ABC
105 Views
0 comments

Greenland’s journey from Inuit homeland to Danish rule and now America’s Arctic frontline shows how modern power works without annexation—through defence, climate, and geography.

New Delhi (ABC Live) For a long time, Greenland seemed far from world power. However, distance never meant it lacked importance. Instead, Greenland’s land, climate, and location shaped every stage of its past. Today, the same forces place Greenland at the centre of Arctic security, missile defence, and global rivalry.

Therefore, to understand why the United States now treats Greenland as vital, we must read its history as a long story of adaptation, collapse, and power used without formal control.

Geography first: why Greenland’s history always looks outward

Greenland’s ice sheet covers most of the island. As a result, people have always lived along the coast. Because of this, groups that depended on the sea survived. By contrast, systems brought from outside often failed.

This fact explains:

Why did Inuit society endured
Why Norse settlements collapsed
Why Danish rule stay limited
Why U.S. power works through strategy, not rule

In short, Greenland shapes power more than power shapes Greenland.

Early Greenland: life before states (c. 2500 BCE–1200 CE)

Archaeology shows that people reached Greenland in several waves from Arctic North America. At first, Saqqaq and Independence groups adapted to the cold. Later, the Dorset culture developed tools and art.

However, these groups disappeared over time. Most likely, climate stress and lack of food caused this. What matters is that Greenland could be lived in—but only with care and balance.

Archaeological overview:
https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/greenland/archaeology/

The Thule migration: the base of modern Greenland (from c. 1200 CE)

The major change came with the arrival of the Thule people. They used kayaks, dog sledges, and strong hunting tools. Because of this, they mastered life along the Arctic coast.

Unlike earlier groups, the Thule survived. As a result, today’s Greenlandic Inuit come directly from them.

Research summary:
https://dg.dk/en/research/thule-culture/

Norse Greenland: a European model fails (c. 985–1400s)

In contrast, Norse settlers tried farming in southern Greenland. At first, their communities survived through livestock and walrus ivory trade. Over time, however, colder weather, poor soil, and isolation weakened them.

In the end, Norse Greenland vanished by the 1400s.

Official record:
https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/greenland/the-norse/

The lesson is simple: Greenland does not support systems that ignore Arctic limits.

Danish rule: control without mass settlement (1721–1940s)

Later, Denmark returned through missionaries and trade. Unlike other colonies, Greenland never filled with settlers. Instead, Denmark ruled through trade control and administration.

Even so, the Inuit language and culture remained strong. Still, economic dependence grew. Yet, Danish control stayed shallow.

Official status:
https://um.dk/en/foreign-policy/the-arctic/greenland

World War II: Greenland becomes strategic

Then, World War II changed everything. When Denmark fell, Greenland turned toward North America. As a result, it became important for weather data, flights, and shipping.

From that moment, Greenland entered global strategy.

The Cold War: U.S. power arrives

Next, the Cold War brought the United States into Greenland’s defence. The U.S. built Thule Air Base, now Pituffik Space Base. Through this, Greenland joined missile warning and space tracking systems.

Unlike colonial rule, the U.S. did not run daily life. Instead, it secured Greenland’s strategic space.

Base details:
https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Bases/Pituffik-Space-Base/

Autonomy without isolation (1979–2009)

Meanwhile, Greenland gained political control. First, Home Rule began in 1979. Later, Self-Government followed in 2009. As a result, Greenland took charge of local affairs.

However, the defence stayed external. At the same time, U.S. security ties grew stronger.

Legal framework:
https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/Greenland-Self-Government

The United States today: power without ownership

It is important to note that the United States does not claim Greenland as territory. Still, it holds a strong influence through defence, funding, and diplomacy.

After the failed 2019 purchase idea by Donald Trump, Washington changed its approach. Rather than buying, it expanded control by:

Opening a U.S. consulate
Funding airports and research
Deepening defence systems

Official announcement:
https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-opens-a-consulate-in-nuuk-greenland/

Why Greenland matters now

Today, three clear reasons drive U.S. focus:

Missile defence and space tracking
Blocking Chinese access to Arctic projects
Watching Russian Arctic forces

Because of this, Greenland works as America’s northern shield. This fits ABC Live’s wider analysis:
https://abclive.in/2025/07/06/can-any-country-replace-u-s-hegemony/

It also matches the shift explained here:
https://abclive.in/2025/11/09/future-of-geopolitics-by-trump-2-0/

Colonial control vs strategic control

Area	Denmark	United States
Sovereignty	Yes	No
Civil rule	Yes	No
Military role	Limited	Permanent
Control style	Law & welfare	Defence & tech
Goal	Stability	Arctic security

Simply put, Denmark ruled Greenland. The U.S. operates around it.

What if Greenland becomes independent?

Scenario 1: Independence with U.S. defence (most likely)

Greenland becomes a state. However, U.S. bases stay.
Result: Legal freedom, strategic alignment.

Scenario 2: Neutral Arctic state

In theory, Greenland stays neutral. In reality, pressure grows.
Result: High risk.

Scenario 3: Resource-led economy

Mining grows. Yet, defence reliance remains.
Result: Money without security control.

Conclusion: Greenland and modern power

In the end, Greenland’s history shows one rule: power must adapt. Today, the law says Greenland is autonomous. At the same time, strategy shapes its future.

Therefore, Greenland is not being recolonised. Instead, it is being wrapped into global systems—showing how power works in a warming world.