For most of its past, Bermuda—a British island territory less than 700 miles off the North Carolina coast—has had firm to its Britishness even amidst its close closeness to America. This, in favor, has led many to ask the question: why didn’t the US claim Bermuda?
Understanding this special connection requires an analysis of Bermuda’s importance in U.S. history, its part of U.S. alien policy, and the importance of the island to Britain. In this article, we will examine the group of forces that kept Bermuda as a uniquely British outpost.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. refrained from claiming Bermuda due to strategic diplomatic relationships with Britain and complex historical ties.
- Geopolitical strategy played a major role, with Bermuda serving as a pivotal British naval base.
- Bermuda’s economic and military roles have bolstered its continued British association, despite its proximity to the U.S.
Bermuda’s British Beginnings
Bermuda was occupied by the British in 1609 when a ship, The Sea Venture, was destroyed. The next major story is that in 1612, more than a century before the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776, Bermuda evolved into an official British colony. Bermuda was not only one of the British territories set, but it was able to stick to its Britishness ever since.
Bermuda was a mid-ocean harbor and defense of British naval power in the Atlantic Ocean. Bermuda had been laboriously fortified by the British, and its Royal Naval Dockyard was built in the early 19th century. Bermuda was important for Britain in ensuring that it held sway over the Atlantic, both during times of war and during peace.
This history imbued a British sense of identity that made it difficult for other nations to imagine Bermuda outside the ambit of British rule. The British government continued on its hold, producing a population that was still devoted to Britain and reluctant to make the shuffle.
Did You Know: In the early 1800s, Bermuda was referred to as the “Gibraltar of the West” because of its heavily fortified British naval bases.
The U.S. Independence and Its Territorial Ambitions
The US was not content with just gaining independence; it needed expansionist policies to become a major power in the Western Hemisphere. In contrast, the founders of America never really considered territory beyond the North American continent even though Bermuda was relatively closer.
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) declared a policy against further European colonization in the Americas. Far away, yes there were near—the Monroe Doctrine’s immediate target was not to dislodge old British colonies such as Bermuda. Rather, the U.S. focused on establishing dominance over regions and territories much closer to its continental interests: Latin America.
Strategic Priority Table
| Period | U.S. Focused Territories | Bermuda Consideration Level |
| Early 1800s | Florida, Louisiana Purchase | Low |
| Mid-1800s | Mexican-American War Territories | Low |
| Late 1800s | Puerto Rico, Guam (Spanish-American War) | Moderate |
Bermuda as Britain’s Atlantic Stronghold
The Barbados had become Britain’s key base in the Caribbean, which was what they considered an indispensable reliance on Bermuda as the heart of their naval strength in the Atlantic. Bermuda was also important strategically as a British base against the United States during the War of 1812. To put this in some context, Bermuda was a lot more than just an island: it was an important British military and logistical base.
Over time, by the late 1800s, Britain had turned Bermuda into one of their most formidable Atlantic naval bases, building fortifications and armaments to repel any enemy threat. As for the U.S., pursuing Bermuda would have necessitated a confrontation with Britain, which American leaders preferred to avoid at the time while they turned their attention to continental expansion.
Key Quote: “Bermuda was the linchpin of Britain’s Atlantic strategy, but it also directly counterbalanced America.” – The Historical Context of British Naval Policy
Diplomatic Relationships: The Special U.S.-UK Relationship
The US–UK special relationship: in addition to decades of intimate diplomatic, military, and economic ties, there were certainly undercurrents of tension in the earliest years after American independence, yet both nations slowly worked toward closer cooperative alignments from the 19th century on.
This alliance became even stronger in the World Wars, where Bermuda was a key base for Allied forces. Rather than wanting to control Bermuda, the US figured that if they could get the British to stay in control of Bermuda, so much the better, because Bermuda would be useful support against Axis powers during WWII. U.S. interest shifted to access and rights for Bermuda’s indispensable military installations over any attempts at annexation.
Interesting Facts
- Bermuda and WWII: Over 5,000 Allied vessels sheltered or were repaired at the bases in Bermuda. The U.S.
- Military Pact: The federally-owned bathrooms had previously been established on Bermuda’s land by the U.S. in 1941 as part of a lease once signed with Britain that bypassed direct territorial demands.
The Economic Role of Bermuda: A Financial and Trade Hub
An identity as an economic dependency sector, but lacking the U.S. Naval presence to secure the arrangement directly—instead the island served such interests through a financial sector that ultimately enabled Bermuda to withstand and develop despite kindred facility jobs from BVI.) The island turned into a tax haven attracting companies and investors worldwide, largely under British administration.
Bermuda’s economy explained why it was a special case: it was not a burden to the U.S., despite being a British dependency, but one whose political problem was indirect. America and Bermuda might trade and invest without any governing rule so that the two nations could peacefully coexist as well as benefit economically from one another.
U.S. Military Presence in Bermuda: The 20th Century Partnership
Though Bermuda was never a U.S. territory, the United States maintained a significant military presence on the island, particularly during WWII. In 1941, the U.S. and the United Kingdom reached a deal called the Destroyers for Bases Agreement, which allowed for the U.S. establishment of bases in British territories such as Bermuda.
The military installations operated in both countries, providing a strategic advantage in the Atlantic for both nations without any change in Bermuda’s territorial status. U.S. bases in Bermuda also contributed to monitoring Soviet Atlantic activities during the Cold War, putting a cap on territorial disputes and cementing the U.S.-British partnership.
Fun Fact: During the Cold War, the U.S. had 5% of Bermuda under military occupation, mostly for monitoring naval operations.
A Self-Governing British Overseas Territory
Today, Bermuda is known as a British Overseas Territory with a high degree of self-governance. While Bermudians are British citizens, Bermuda continues to have different systems of law and economies.
Tourism and finance industries have strengthened on the island, cementing its economic autonomy. U.S.-Bermuda relations today remain mutually beneficial. The U.S. is still one of Bermuda’s top internationals, and Bermuda’s money-related guidelines appear to be Britain’s.
The former benefits Bermuda residents with security while the latter ensures that Britain retains some of its character, allowing both countries to coexist without the U.S. having to stake a claim on the island.
Conclusion
So what happened here, why didn’t the U.S. take Bermuda? The answer is steeped in the complexities of historical partnerships, foreign policy objectives, and military strategy for both America and Britain. Bermuda’s status as a British bulwark on the North American coast, its prosperity, and Washington’s willingness to cooperate with London meant that both countries enjoyed conscription without modifying Bermuda itself.
This examination brings us to a more expansive conversation regarding U.S. foreign policy and its treatment of allied lands. In what ways do current global alliances mirror historical friendships? Learn what links the past and lines up today’s global relationships, power—and more in our blog.