Greenland

Definition

Greenland is the world's largest island, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and was a significant site of Norse colonization during the Viking Age. The Norse, led by Erik the Red, established settlements in Greenland around the late 10th century, marking a critical expansion of their reach into new territories. This colonization was driven by the search for new lands suitable for farming and resources, reflecting the broader patterns of exploration and settlement characteristic of the Viking Age.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Erik the Red is known for naming Greenland in a bid to attract settlers, as he hoped a more appealing name would encourage people to join him in establishing new colonies.
2. The Norse settled primarily in the southwestern part of Greenland, where they established two main colonies: the Eastern Settlement and the Western Settlement.
3. The colonies thrived for several centuries, relying on farming, hunting, and trade with neighboring cultures, including Inuit peoples.
4. By the late 14th century, climatic changes known as the Little Ice Age made farming increasingly difficult, contributing to the decline of Norse settlements in Greenland.
5. Archaeological evidence from sites like Hvalsey and Brattahlid provides insight into the daily lives of the Norse in Greenland, revealing their adaptation to a challenging environment.

Review Questions

• Discuss how Erik the Red's motivations and actions led to the establishment of Norse settlements in Greenland.
  • Erik the Red played a crucial role in establishing Norse settlements in Greenland following his exile from Iceland. He named the island Greenland to entice settlers with visions of fertile lands despite its harsh conditions. His exploration and subsequent leadership attracted other Norse people looking for new opportunities. This decision to settle ultimately marked an important extension of Norse influence across the North Atlantic.
• Evaluate the impact of climatic changes on the Norse settlements in Greenland during their occupation.
  • Climatic changes significantly impacted Norse settlements in Greenland, particularly during the onset of the Little Ice Age in the late 14th century. As temperatures dropped and agricultural conditions worsened, farming became increasingly unsustainable. The harsh climate made it difficult for settlers to support themselves through traditional farming methods and forced them to rely more on hunting and trade. This shift weakened their communities and contributed to their eventual decline.
• Analyze how Greenland's colonization reflects broader patterns of Viking exploration and settlement across Europe and beyond.
  • The colonization of Greenland exemplifies the Viking Age's broader themes of exploration and settlement driven by a quest for resources and land. Similar to their ventures into places like Iceland and Vinland, Norse settlers in Greenland sought new territories that could support their agricultural needs. This expansionist attitude not only underscores their maritime capabilities but also highlights how these explorations were shaped by socio-economic factors such as population pressures and climate considerations. The establishment of colonies in remote areas like Greenland illustrates their adaptability and ambition during this dynamic period in history.

Related terms

Norse: The group of Scandinavian peoples, including the Vikings, who explored, settled, and traded across Europe and beyond during the Viking Age.

Vinland: A name given to a region in North America explored by the Norse around the year 1000, believed to be part of modern-day Newfoundland, Canada.

Erik the Red: A Norse explorer credited with founding the first Norse settlements in Greenland after being exiled from Iceland due to a series of disputes.