The Acquisition of the Aleutian Islands by the United States

The Aleutian Islands, a chain of volcanic islands in the north Pacific Ocean, play a significant role in U.S. geopolitical history. This article explores the dynamics behind the acquisition of these islands, primarily through the lens of historical events and political motivations.

Historical Context and Russia’s Disposal of Alaska

Russia disposed of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, primarily because they did not control the sea routes and the Aleutians were integral to that. This transaction, known as Seward's Folly, marked a critical turning point in U.S. foreign policy, setting the stage for the acquisition of the Aleutian Islands in the future. As part of the same transaction, the Aleutian Islands were included, becoming an integral part of U.S. territory.

The Siege of Petropavlovsk

The Siege of Petropavlovsk occurred during the Crimean War. The allied squadron, consisting of a concentrated naval force, arrived at Honolulu. On July 25, 1854, they set out to hunt down the Russian ships. Their first objective was the city of Sitka, which was taken easily. However, no Russian warships were found. The allies then decided to attack Petropavlovsk.

Putyatin, the Russian commander, did not want to engage the allied forces on the open sea and could not raid their trade. He had only two ships with him: the frigate Aurora (44) and Dvina (10). He decided to concentrate all his forces at Petropavlovsk, using the Dvina to transfer the Okhotsk garrison there. His only other ship, Pallada (52 guns), was hidden in Imperial Harbour on the river Amur. Its crew lightened her by removing all the guns to hide from the allies, and they sailed as far upriver as they could to avoid detection. The winter would eventually destroy the frigate as the frozen river crushed its hull.

Further Events and American Involvement

The Russian frigate Diana (54) made a roundabout journey, reaching Simoda, Japan, with the Russian ambassador on November 21, 1854. However, she was destroyed by an earthquake on January 7, 1855. Her crew built a schooner from the wreck and sailed it to the Amur River.

On September 1, 1854, the Virago was dispatched to bury Admiral Price on the other side of the bay. Upon reaching the area, they encountered four American whalers living in a tent. The whalers reported that the port was vulnerable to an attack from the landward side, specifically through the Nikalski Hill path which would allow light artillery to attack the fort.

By the mid-1840s, American whalers had begun to swarm Kamchatka and the Gulf of Alaska, particularly at the ends of the Aleutian Islands. Their presence and intelligence provided valuable insights into the vulnerabilities of the region, which would later prove crucial in the U.S. acquisition of the Aleutian Islands.

U.S. Motivations and the Logic of Acquisition

The Aleutian Islands provided a strategic advantage to the U.S., offering control over the North Pacific. Given that Russia lacked the resources to exploit the region and were in need of the funds from the sale of Alaska, acquiring the Aleutian Islands made strategic sense.

Moreover, U.S. concerns about Great Britain controlling the area added another layer of motivation. The acquisition of the Aleutian Islands solidified U.S. presence in the Pacific, enhancing its geopolitical influence in the region.

Overall, the acquisition of the Aleutian Islands by the United States was a combination of historical events, political motivated transactions, and the strategic foresight of U.S. policymakers. The islands continue to hold significant importance for the U.S. in terms of both historical and current geopolitical contexts.