On March 30, 1867, the Russian Empire sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million — about 2 cents per acre.
They didn't ask us.
They didn't ask the Indigenous peoples who actually lived there.
They just... sold it.
We've had 157 years to think about what might have been.
The Historical Context:
Why Russia Sold:
- Crimean War (1853-56) showed vulnerability
- Russia couldn't defend Alaska from Britain
- Fur trade declining
- Needed money
- Better to sell to US than lose to Britain
Why US Bought:
- Secretary of State Seward's vision of expansion
- Prevent British consolidation in North America
- "Seward's Folly" — criticized at the time
- Later vindicated by gold, oil, strategic value
What About Canada/Britain?
Britain was offered Alaska first. They declined.
The Hudson's Bay Company had operations in the region. They were consulted. They said no.
If Britain had bought Alaska, it would likely have become Canadian at Confederation or shortly after.
We came very close to a very different map.
The Legal Question:
Can you reverse a 157-year-old transaction?
Legally? No. International law recognizes the purchase. It's done.
Morally? The sale didn't include Indigenous consent. By modern standards (UNDRIP), it was illegitimate.
Practically? The United States isn't selling Alaska. This isn't a real legal process.
Satirically? This is where we're operating.
The Russian Question:
People ask: "What about Russia? Won't they object?"
Our response:
- They sold it. Transaction complete. No refunds.
- They didn't own it either. Russia claimed Alaska by "discovery" — ignoring Indigenous peoples. Their title was never legitimate.
- They're busy. Russia is currently occupied with other territorial matters. They're not going to complain about Alaska.
- The statue of limitations has passed. 157 years. Come on.
What This Is Really About:
Yukonification isn't actually about reversing the 1867 purchase.
It's about asking: Why is this border here?
The Yukon-Alaska border was drawn by empires who never set foot in the region. It divides Indigenous nations. It separates communities with more in common with each other than with their respective capitals.
If we could redesign North America's political geography based on what makes sense for the people who actually live here — would this border exist?
We think not.
Discussion Questions:
- Does the illegitimacy of the 1867 sale (no Indigenous consent) matter legally? Morally?
- If we could redraw North American borders, what would make sense for the North?
- Should historical transactions that ignored Indigenous peoples be reconsidered?
- What would Russia actually say about this? (Rhetorical question. We don't care.)
- Is revisiting historical borders destabilizing, or sometimes necessary?