Читать книгу VI Settler's Handbook - Mr. Cheyenne Harty - Страница 13

U.S. efforts to buy the islands began in 1871 but were not successful until World War I, when the United States became concerned about German threats to the Panama Canal. The threat brought diplomats back to the negotiating table, and on March 31, 1917, the United States purchased the Virgin Islands for $25 million. The free port status of the islands was retained and is still in effect.

The islands were first administered by the U.S. Navy, with the Department of the Interior assuming jurisdiction in 1931.The Organic Act, passed by the United States Congress, provided local government in 1936. A 1954 revision of the Organic Act provided a three-branch territorial government. The first popularly elected governor of the Virgin Islands, Melvin H. Evans, took office in 1970.