Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:05:59-4:11:03

If Britain acquired Alaska after the Crimean War

Alaska would likely join Canada and eventually enlarge imperial oil resources, but early naval benefits depend on tankers, refining, and discovery timing.

AlaskaAlternate HistoryCanadaOil LogisticsRoyal NavyTankers
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Question

If Britain acquired Alaska after the Crimean War, what fleet and fuel effects would follow by the world wars?

Short answer

Alaska would probably become Canadian and diversify imperial oil supply, but useful naval effects require earlier exploration, refining, and a much larger tanker fleet.

Notes

British control would probably attach Alaska to Canada, with little or no fleet based there at the beginning of the Second World War. Oil supplies would still have to reach the Royal Navy, making tanker capacity a constraint even if more fuel were available in Canada. Earlier discoveries could encourage British companies to build more tankers before the First World War, although exploration and production are distinct stages. The Royal Navy would continue to seek multiple sources of fuel.