Q&A ยท 3:43:55-3:44:58

A successful Franklin expedition and British Alaska

Proving the Northwest Passage useful would give Britain a strong imperial incentive to secure Alaska before Russia sold it to the United States.

Question

If Franklin succeeds, does Britain take Alaska from Russia and attach it to Canada?

Short answer

Probably; an open northern route would give Britain reason to occupy its approaches and exploit a later conflict with Russia.

Notes

A successful Franklin expedition makes the northern route to the Pacific look strategically important rather than fatal and impractical. The British Empire had a strong habit of securing the approaches and stations along routes it valued. Alaska would therefore attract gradual commercial, naval, and political encroachment. A later Anglo-Russian conflict could turn that presence into formal annexation and incorporation into Canada.