Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands

Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). Located on the island is the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie.

American Acquisition

In 1917 St. Thomas was purchased (along with Saint John and Saint Croix) by the United States for $25 million, as part of a defensive strategy to maintain control over the Caribbean and the Panama Canal during the First World War. U.S. citizenship was granted to the residents in 1927. The U.S. Department of the Interior took over administrative duties in 1931. American forces were based on the island during the Second World War. In 1954, passage of the U.S. Virgin Islands Organic Act officially granted territorial status to the three islands, and allowed for the formation of a local senate with politics dominated by the American Republican and Democratic parties. Full home rule was achieved in 1970.

Related Topics:
1917 - United States - Panama Canal - First World War - 1927 - U.S. Department of the Interior - 1931 - Second World War - 1954 - Organic Act - Republican - Democratic - Home rule - 1970

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The post-war era also saw the rise of tourism on the island. With relatively cheap air travel and the American embargo on Cuba, the numbers of visitors greatly increased. Despite natural disasters such as Hurricane Hugo (1989) and Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn (1995), the island's infrastructure continues to improve as the flow of visitors continues.

Related Topics:
Embargo - Cuba - Hurricane Hugo - 1989 - Luis - Marilyn - 1995

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