There are preparations to capture Greenland by introducing a bill in the US Parliament (Congress).
Once again the debate has intensified in America whether Greenland can be made an American state? In this context, there has been news of a bill being presented in the Parliament (Congress) by an American MP. It is being said that President Donald Trump has also supported the MP. This issue is not new, but every time it raises many important questions related to international politics, sovereignty and the American constitutional system.
Let us know whether America has included some countries or regions in itself before by bringing a bill or in other ways? Which areas did America subjugate and how; And if the bill that came to the US Parliament is not passed, what will be its meaning and impact?
Has America included new areas by bringing bills before?
American history shows that America has many times incorporated new areas with the approval of Parliament. According to the US Constitution, Congress has the right to include any new state in the Union. This process is usually completed after an area is acquired, local consent is obtained, and then legislation is passed in Congress.
The most famous example is the Louisiana Purchase (1803). America purchased a vast territory from France for approximately $15 million, almost doubling the size of the country. After this this area gradually got divided into different states. It was recognized as the 18th state of America on April 30, 1812. Similarly, America acquired Florida from Spain through treaty and on March 3, 1845, it was recognized as the 27th state. Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 but gained statehood on January 3, 1959. Ultimately, in all these cases, Congressional approval was required. That is, inclusion of a new area in America is not possible only with the wish of the President, but it is mandatory to go through the legislative process.
Greenland. Photo: Lasse Kyed/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
How many countries or regions did America capture and make them its own?
This question often gives rise to emotional and political debate. Technically, America has captured very few independent countries and made them states. In most cases the land came under control either by purchase, or after war, treaty, and then long after it gained statehood. Texas was formerly an independent republic, which joined the United States in 1845.
California, New Mexico and other areas came under American control after the Mexico-American War. Hawaii was previously an independent monarchy, which was annexed by the United States in 1898 and granted statehood in 1959. Territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines came under US control after the Spanish–American War, although the Philippines later became independent. It is clear from these examples that America’s expansion has often been a mixture of military, diplomatic and economic factors. But under today’s international law and the United Nations system, occupying an area and making it a state is extremely complex and controversial.
Donald Trump.
Background and current debate on Greenland
Greenland is currently an autonomous region of Denmark. It has its own local government, but matters such as defense and foreign policy fall under the jurisdiction of Denmark. America has been showing interest in Greenland for a long time due to its strategic location, natural resources and growing geopolitical importance in the Arctic region.
America had built military bases here during World War II and it still has a presence today. During Trump’s first presidential term, a suggestion to buy Greenland was raised, which was rejected outright by both Denmark and Greenland. Now if any MP has introduced a bill to make Greenland a US state, it is mostly being considered a political gesture and not a plan to be implemented immediately.
Greenland is no longer just a sheet of ice in international politics. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
What will happen if this bill is not passed in the US Parliament?
The role of Parliament is central in the American democratic system. If a bill is not passed by both houses of Congress – the House of Representatives and the Senate, then it cannot become law. In such a situation the following situations can arise.
- Will have no legal effect: The situation in Greenland will remain the same as it was before.
- Political messages will be limited to: The purpose of the bill may be only discussion, pressure or electoral politics.
- International reaction will be quiet: Because without a law, the sovereignty of any country is not affected.
- Future strategy may be changed: America can explore ways of diplomatic, military or economic cooperation, but the matter of direct acquisition will not move forward.
How possible is it to make a region a state in today’s times?
In today’s global scenario, it is almost impossible to make an area a state forcibly or without the explicit consent of the local people. The United Nations Charter, international law and global public opinion stand against such a step. In the case of Greenland too, public opinion there, Denmark’s consent and the approval of the US Congress – all three will be necessary.
Despite the historical context, the discussion of making Greenland a US state is currently seen mostly as political and strategic rhetoric. America has annexed many areas in its history by purchase, treaty or war, but replicating the same model in today’s world is extremely difficult. If such a bill is not passed in Parliament, it will remain just a failed proposal. Ultimately, in the modern international system the future of any region can be decided only by the will of its people and international consensus, not by force.
Also read: How a murderer discovered Greenland while serving his sentence? Where is the treasure of rare earth metals, Trump has set his sights on it