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.

Danish Colonial Period

The Danish established a presence on Saint Thomas as early as 1666, and by 1672 had established control over the entire island through the Danish West India and Guinea Company. The land was divided into plantations and sugar cane production became the primary economic activity. As a result, Saint Thomas and neighboring islands of Saint John and Saint Croix became highly dependent on slave labor. In 1685 the Brandenburg American Company took control of the slave trade on Saint Thomas, and for some time the largest slave auctions in the world were held there. Saint Thomas boasted a fine natural harbor, known as "Taphus" for the drinking establishments located nearby. In 1691 the primary settlement there was renamed Charlotte Amalie in honor of the wife of Denmark's King Christian V. It was later declared a free port by King Frederick V.

Related Topics:
Danish - 1666 - 1672 - Danish West India and Guinea Company - Plantations - Sugar cane - Saint John - Saint Croix - Slave - 1685 - Brandenburg American Company - Harbor - 1691 - Charlotte Amalie - Christian V - Free port - King Frederick V

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While the sugar trade had brought prosperity to the island's free citizens, by the early 19th century Saint Thomas was in decline. The continued export of sugar was threatened by hurricanes, drought, and American competition. In 1848, slavery was abolished and the resulting rise in labour costs further weakened the position of Saint Thomas' sugar producers. Given its harbors and fortifications, Saint Thomas still retained a strategic importance, and thus in the 1860s the United States government considered buying the island and its neighbors from Denmark for $7.5 million, but failed to find domestic legislative support for the bid.

Related Topics:
19th century - American - 1848

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