The United Staes bought them from Denmark in 1917.
The United States do. The bought them from Denmark in 1917 for 25 million in gold.
The US Virgin Islands were not gained in the Spanish-American War. The United States bought them from Denmark in 1917, under the Treaty of the Danish West Indies.
Christopher Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands for Europeans in 1493.
The Virgin Islands were not owned by America in the Civil War so they played no part. The Virgin Islands were bought by America from the Danish on January 17 1917.
Charlotte Amalie was the name of the consort of Christian V of Denmark, the ruling monarch of Denmark-Norway when the islands were claimed by the country. In 1754 the capital was moved to Christiansted, named for Christian V himself, however moved back again in 1871.
The United States purchased the Virginia Islands to prevent Europeans or Germans from taking control of the islands. The United States also wanted to expand their territory.
The Islands were bought by the US in 1917. They had been a profitable colony until the mid 19th century, but became a liability after the abolition of slavery and changing sailing routes in the region. Denmark was thus eager to sell and during WWI USA finally wanted to buy to eliminate the risk of Germany taken them over and using them as a submarine base. The price was $ 25 million, and the deal had to pass a public vote in Denmark. It may be interesting to note that even though Denmark was late in freeing the slaves (decided in 1847 to take effect after 12 years, but implemented in 1848 due to a slave rebellion in the West Indies/Virgin Isl.), she was actually the first colonial power to ban the Slave trade. A law was passed in 1792 to have effect in 1802, i.e. before the famous Wilberforce had success with a similar law for the British Empire.
Christopher Columbus gave the islands the name 'Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes' or 'Saint Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins' shortened to Las Virgenes. (The story is that Saint Ursula and a group of holy virgins were martyred.) The official name of the British territory is the Virgin Islands, and the official name of the U.S. territory is the Virgin Islands of the United States.
The US bought land from France (the Louisiana Purchase) and bought Alaska from Russia. We purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark and the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico. The purchase of Manhattan Island from the Indians happened before there was a United States.
$25,000,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------They bought it from the Dutch for 25,000,000. However, the United States only wanted to buy St. Croix for it's oil. They did not want to buy St. Thomas or St. John, but the Dutch said they had to buy all three of the islands. So,that increased the cost of the United States Virgin Islands.
Yes, the Islands were bought by the US in 1917. They had been a profitable colony until the mid 19th century, but became a liability after the abolition of slavery and changing sailing routes in the region. Denmark was thus eager to sell and during WWI USA finally wanted to buy to eliminate the risk of Germany taken them over and using them as a submarine base. The price was $ 25 million, and the deal had to pass a public vote in Denmark. It may be interesting to note that even though Denmark was late in freeing the slaves (decided in 1847 to take effect after 12 years, but implemented in 1848 due to a slave rebellion in the West Indies/Virgin Isl.), she was actually the first colonial power to ban the Slave trade. A law was passed in 1792 to have effect in 1802, i.e. before the famous Wilberforce had success with a similar law for the British Empire. Another interesting fact is that after WWII the USA also offered to buy Greenland, but in this case Denmark declined.