A referendum on transferring ownership to the
United States was held on 9 January 1868 on the islands of
Sankt Jan and
Sankt Thomas, two of three main islands in the
Danish West Indies.[1] In the referendum, held by
universal male suffrage, voters could approve or reject the outcome of negotiations for the sale of the two islands to the United States for US$7.5 million. The third island,
Sankt Croix, was to be sold separately to the US at a later date.
The sale was approved by 98.26% of voters. Although it was a binding referendum, the
US Senate finally reneged on the agreement in 1870.[1] The Islands were later transferred to the United States after a
second referendum in 1916 and the subsequent
Treaty of the Danish West Indies.
A referendum on transferring ownership to the
United States was held on 9 January 1868 on the islands of
Sankt Jan and
Sankt Thomas, two of three main islands in the
Danish West Indies.[1] In the referendum, held by
universal male suffrage, voters could approve or reject the outcome of negotiations for the sale of the two islands to the United States for US$7.5 million. The third island,
Sankt Croix, was to be sold separately to the US at a later date.
The sale was approved by 98.26% of voters. Although it was a binding referendum, the
US Senate finally reneged on the agreement in 1870.[1] The Islands were later transferred to the United States after a
second referendum in 1916 and the subsequent
Treaty of the Danish West Indies.