the Arctic 1932: Erik the Red's Land

In return for Denmark abandoning any claims on Svalbard, Norway had agreed to recognize Danish sovereignty over Greenland. However, northeast Greenland remained dominated by Norwegian whalers and trappers and in 1931 declared itself for Norway as Erik the Red's Land. The dispute was brought before the World Court in 1933, which ruled against Norway and led it to abandon the claim.

About this map

Download map
(download without labels)

This map has in-depth notes in the Journal, exclusive to Patrons on Classical Tier and above. Find them in the events descriptions, marked with the Journal icon .

Main Events

1 Mar 1927 Labrador settlement ▲

The border between Labrador in the Dominion of Newfoundland, and the Province of Quebec in the Dominion of Canada was settled by a British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Rather than tightly follow the coast, as claimed by Quebec, the boundary was set to include most of the coastal watershed, with part of the southern stretch being defined by the 52nd parallel north. in wikipedia

12–29 Aug 1929 Annexation of Franz Josef Land ▲

The Soviet Sedov Expedition established a base at Tikhaya Bay, Hooker Island, and declared Franz Josef Land part of the Soviet Union. in wikipedia

24–29 Oct 1929 Wall Street Crash ▲

Between opening on 24 October 1929 (“Black Thursday”) and close on 29 October (“Black Tuesday”), the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped in value from 305.85 to 230.07 in the most devastating stock market crash in United States history. The crash would bring an abrupt end to the Roaring Twenties and signal the beginning of the Great Depression. in wikipedia

8 Aug 1930 Norwegian claim to Victoria I. ▲

The Norwegian Bratvaag Expedition, led by Dr. Gunnar Horn, landed on Victoria Island, between Svalbard and Franz Josef Land, claiming it for Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, decided not to officially back this claim in face of expected Soviet opposition. in wikipedia

11 Nov 1930 Sverdrup Islands compromise ▲

Norway recognized Canadian sovereignty over the Sverdrup Islands in return for British and Canadian recognition of Norwegian sovereignty over Jan Mayen island. in wikipedia

10 Jul 1931 Erik the Red’s Land ▲

On 27 June 1931, five Norwegian hunters including Hallvard Devold raised the Norwegian flag at Myggbukta, eastern Greenland, declaring Greenland between Carlsberg Fjord in the south and Besselfjord in the north as occupied by Norway. On 10 July, a Norwegian royal proclamation claimed Eastern Greenland—named Erik the Red’s Land—as Norwegian territory, with explorer Helge Ingstad serving as governor. in wikipedia

18 Sep 1931–27 Feb 1932 Japanese invasion of Manchuria ▲

Following the Mukden Incident, the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan invaded Manchuria—the semi-independent northeast provinces of the Republic of China under the governorship of Zhang Xueliang. After occupying the southern provinces of Liaoning and Kirin, the Japanese advanced north into Heilongjiang, completing its conquest in February 1932. in wikipedia

11 Dec 1931 Statute of Westminster ▲

The Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the Statute of Westminster, establishing legislative independence of the self-governing Dominions of the British Empire from Britain. The act was effective immediately in Canada and the Union of South Africa, and was considered irrelevant by the Irish Free State. Of the remaining Dominions, Australia and New Zealand would ratify the act in the 1940s, while Newfoundland would never adopt it due to financial difficulties. in wikipedia

Join Omniatlas

the Arctic 1932: Erik the Red's Land

12 July 1932

Claiming the Far North

the Arctic

Erik the Red's Land