On March 30, 1867, the Russian Empire sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, motivated by rising tensions between Russia and Great Britain in the Pacific Ocean.[1] The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty on October 18 of that year, formally establishing American sovereignty over the territory.[citation needed] This made it impossible for any outside country to claim sovereignty over the region or challenge American control. During the purchase, Canada enacted the Constitution Act of 1867, which unified the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into the Dominion of Canada.[2] This made it politically and administratively complex for Canada to claim Alaska, as the newly formed Canadian federal government focused on consolidating its existing territories rather than pursuing territorial expansion.[citation needed]
Reasons for Purchase
editDuring the purchase, Canada enacted the Constitution Act of 1867, which unified the provinces into the Dominion of Canada and established a framework for governance. This made it politically and administratively complex for Canada to pursue a claim on Alaska. The subsequent Alaska boundary dispute, inherited from the Russian Empire, was resolved by arbitration in 1903, with the final resolution favoring the American position. This decision led to disappointment in Canada, which was directed more at the British government for prioritizing Anglo-American relations over Canadian interests.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ "Purchase of Alaska, 1867". history.state.gov. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ O'Connor, Joe (November 27, 2012). "Puffin Wars: The island paradise at centre of last Canada-U.S. land dispute". National Post. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ Farr, D.M.L.; Block, Niko (February 6, 2006). "Alaska Boundary Dispute". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Gibson (1943)