In the beginning, colonialism in Greenland was synonymous with an isolationist policy. The Danish authorities feared outside competition and felt that the Greenland society was too vulnerable to foreign influences. Progress took its own course as the introduction of trade and the concentration of the population upset the social structure. In a short time Greenlandic society underwent change and became based around the colonies.

The first sign of Greenlandic participation in the decision making process was seen in 1857 with the establishment of Superintendentships which were responsible for some aspects of governing at the local level of society. In 1908 two Greenlandic Country Councils were established, one in the North and the other one in the South. Simultaneously, the