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What If the Alaska Purchase Was Rejected by Congress?

- January 16, 2025
British Alaska

In the spring of 1867, the United States Congress faced a pivotal decision that would alter the course of history. Secretary of State William H. Seward had negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a deal that many at the time derisively called “Seward’s Folly.” However, in this alternate timeline, Congress, swayed by skepticism and financial concerns, rejected the purchase. This decision set off a chain of events that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of North America and the world.

Initially, the rejection of the Alaska Purchase was met with little fanfare. The American public, engrossed in the challenges of the Reconstruction era, barely noticed the missed opportunity. Meanwhile, the Russian Empire, eager to divest itself of the distant and costly territory, sought other buyers. Enter the British Empire, which recognized the strategic value of Alaska as a buffer against American expansion and a potential gateway to the Pacific. In 1870, Russia sold Alaska to Britain for a slightly higher price, a transaction that went largely unnoticed by the world at large.

As the years passed, Alaska, now a British territory, began to reveal its hidden treasures. The discovery of gold in the late 19th century sparked a rush of British settlers and prospectors to the region, transforming it into a bustling frontier. The Klondike Gold Rush, which in our timeline drew thousands to the Yukon, now extended into British Alaska, further entrenching British influence in North America. This influx of wealth and settlers led to the establishment of thriving towns and cities, with Juneau becoming a prominent hub of commerce and governance.

The presence of the British in Alaska created a new dynamic in North American politics. The United States, still recovering from the Civil War and its aftermath, found itself increasingly wary of British intentions. Tensions simmered as the U.S. government watched British Alaska’s growth with unease, fearing encirclement and the potential for British interference in American affairs. Diplomatic relations between the two nations grew strained, with both sides engaging in a quiet arms race to assert their dominance in the region.

building pipelines

By the early 20th century, the world stood on the brink of transformation. The discovery of vast oil reserves in Alaska further heightened its strategic importance. The British, eager to exploit these resources, invested heavily in infrastructure, building pipelines and refineries to transport the precious commodity to markets worldwide. This newfound wealth bolstered the British Empire, allowing it to maintain its global influence even as other powers rose to challenge its supremacy.

The United States, meanwhile, found itself increasingly isolated. The presence of British Alaska disrupted American expansionist ambitions and complicated its relations with Canada, which viewed the British territory as a protective buffer against American encroachment. The U.S. government, recognizing the need to counterbalance British power, sought alliances with other emerging powers, such as Japan and Germany, leading to a complex web of diplomatic entanglements.

As the world hurtled toward the First World War, the geopolitical landscape was markedly different. The British Empire, buoyed by its Alaskan oil wealth, was better positioned to weather the storm of conflict. The United States, though initially neutral, found itself drawn into the war by its alliances and the need to protect its interests against British expansion. The war ended with a fragile peace, but the seeds of future conflict had been sown.

In the decades that followed, the presence of British Alaska continued to shape global affairs. The Cold War, in this timeline, took on a different character. The United States, wary of British influence, engaged in a tense standoff not only with the Soviet Union but also with its northern neighbor. The Arctic, rich in untapped resources, became a new frontier for exploration and competition, with the U.S., Britain, and other powers vying for control.

In this alternate reality, the rejection of the Alaska Purchase by Congress had far-reaching consequences. The balance of power in North America shifted, altering the course of history and reshaping the world in ways that few could have foreseen. The decision, once seen as a minor footnote in history, became a pivotal moment that defined the destiny of nations and the fate of millions. As the world moved into the 21st century, the legacy of that fateful choice continued to reverberate, a testament to the unpredictable nature of history and the enduring impact of human decisions.