The purchase of Alaska by the United States rather than Canada is an interesting story of missed opportunities and changing priorities. In 1867, Russia offered to sell Alaska to the United States. This began a debate about whether the United States should purchase the vast, sparsely populated territory. Meanwhile, Canada also considered purchasing Alaska, but ultimately declined. Here is an overview of the key factors in why Canada did not buy Alaska:
Russia’s Offer to Sell Alaska
In the 1860s, Russia offered to sell Alaska to both the United States and Canada. Russia had colonized Alaska in the 18th century for its abundant fur resources. But by the mid-19th century, the Russian population in Alaska had declined, the fur trade was fading, and the territory was becoming an economic liability. Russia worried that Britain would seize Alaska as payment for debts owed by Russia. Eager to get rid of this burden, Russia approached the United States and Canada with an offer to purchase Alaska.
Why Didn’t Canada Jump at the Offer?
At the time, Canada was still a collection of separate British colonies rather than an independent nation. The colonies were focused on issues within British North America, not expansion to the northwestern coast of the continent. Some key factors that made Canada hesitant to purchase Alaska:
- High Cost – The $7.2 million price tag was considered expensive for a remote, sparsely populated territory
- Little Knowledge – Very little was known about Alaska’s geography, resources, climate, and indigenous peoples
- Defense Concerns – Canada was worried about defending such a vast coastline from possible incursions by Russia or America
- Minimal Economic Benefit – Canada saw little immediate economic value in purchasing Alaska at the time
Debate in the United States Over the Alaska Purchase
The United States also intensely debated whether to purchase Alaska in the 1860s. Some key issues included:
- Cost – Like Canada, many thought the $7.2 million price was too high
- Strategic Significance – Alaska could serve as a buffer against British Canada and allow access to the Bering Sea
- Resources – Alaska was known to have fur seals, fisheries, and potential mineral wealth
- Manifest Destiny – Some saw Alaska as the next step in America’s destiny to expand across the continent
Why the U.S. Ultimately Moved Forward With the Purchase
Despite objections over the price, the United States ultimately decided to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase Alaska for several key reasons:
- Concerns over Canada or Britain claiming Alaska if they did not
- Desire to appear patriotic and forward-thinking after the Civil War
- Belief in Manifest Destiny and American expansion
- Support from Secretary of State William Seward who negotiated the deal
These factors led the U.S. Senate to ratify the Alaska purchase treaty by a vote of 37 to 2 in 1867, finalizing the deal.
Canada’s Regret After the Fact
In the decades after Alaska was sold to the United States, Canadian regret grew over not seizing the opportunity to purchase the territory. As the resources and strategic significance of Alaska became more clear, Canada realized it had missed out. Some key factors that led to Canada’s regret:
- Gold rush – The Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s highlighted Alaska’s mineral wealth
- Access to the Pacific – Alaska provided ports and access to the Pacific Ocean and Asia
- Fisheries and fur – Alaska’s salmon, crab, seals, and other fisheries became commercially important
- Surging American power – As the U.S. grew in power, Canada regretted allowing it to control the vast region north of British Columbia
But despite this regret, the deal was done and Alaska was now American territory. Canada had missed its chance to purchase the land during the 1860s when it was offered by Russia.
Conclusion
In 1867, Canada declined to purchase Alaska, allowing the United States to acquire the vast territory instead. Factors like the high cost, limited knowledge of the region, and defense concerns made Canada hesitant to act during the 1860s. However, in the decades after Alaska was sold, Canada realized the strategic and economic significance of the territory and grew regretful that it had not purchased the land when it had the opportunity. Canada’s inaction allowed its southern neighbor to gain control of Alaska, changing the geopolitical dynamics of the region forever.