When the japs bombed pearl harbor, they may people think of a lot of things. Most people when they thought of alaska, they thought of a cold, rugged wasteland. Now suddenly, it seems to have considerable additional value. Both to us and the japanese. Its strategic position was not comforting. From alaska, the Aleutian Islands stretch out invitingly. The great Japanese Naval base is only 750 miles away. Japs in alaska would be a direct threat to america. Alaskas long and broken coastline was weakly defended. Our bases were few and far between. Our only means of supplying them was by sea or air. With no overland connection across the wilderness of northwestern canada, not even a trail. If our shipping lanes could be interrupted, alaska might fall. The situation called for immediate action. The canadian government had already carved out a series of five airports between edmonton in alberta and yukon territory. With canadas consent, the United States War Department decided to build a milit
When the japs bombed pearl harbor, they may people think of a lot of things. Most people when they thought of alaska, they thought of a cold, rugged wasteland. Now suddenly, it seems to have considerable additional value. Both to us and the japanese. Its strategic position was not comforting. From alaska, the Aleutian Islands stretch out invitingly. The great Japanese Naval base is only 750 miles away. Japs in alaska would be a direct threat to america. Alaskas long and broken coastline was weakly defended. Our bases were few and far between. Our only means of supplying them was by sea or air. With no overland connection across the wilderness of northwestern canada, not even a trail. If our shipping lanes could be interrupted, alaska might fall. The situation called for immediate action. The canadian government had already carved out a series of five airports between edmonton in alberta and yukon territory. With canadas consent, the United States War Department decided to build a milit
30, 1867, u. S. Secretary of state William Seward reached an agreement to purchase alaska from russia for 7. 2 million. Originally dubbed sewards folly, that was retracted when gold was discovered. Up next, alaska highway, a 1944 u. S. Army film documenting building highway from the lower 48 states to fairbanks through the canadian wilderness. The highway was gradually approved and opened to the public in 1948. [video clip] narrator when the japs bombed pearl harbor, they made people think of a lot of things. Most people when they thought of alaska, they thought of a cold, rugged wasteland. Now suddenly, it seems to have considerable value both to us and the japanese. Its strategic position was not comforting. From alaska, the Aleutian Islands stretch out invitingly. The great Japanese Naval base is only 750 miles away, and japs in alaska would be a direct threat to america. Alaskas long and broken coastline was weakly defended. Our bases were few and far between. Our only means of sup
Listen to him, they do see that in him. I think some of the media coverage, they were interested in, what joe pctel that was really funny . After theime spent rally, signing posters, shaking hands. I mean, he loves that. He really enjoys mexican up with people. Mixing itly enjoys up with people. Even when people just want to cover what he tweeted that day, i hope that in the cacophony, folks are getting the essence of donald trump as well. Conway, joining us on the phone from new york. Thank you for being with us. Thank you, steve. All the best. This week on American History tv, on cspan 3. Saturday morning from 9 00 eastern to just after noon. Thousandh luck for a years. None will still say this was our finest hour. We are live for the 33rd International Churchill conference in washington dc, focusing on the former prime ministers friends and contemporaries. We have the author of masters and commanders how four titans won the war in the west. And later on saturday at 7 00, george p. B
Listen to him, they do see that in him. I think some of the media coverage, they were interested in, what joe pctel that was really funny . After theime spent rally, signing posters, shaking hands. I mean, he loves that. He really enjoys mexican up with people. Mixing itly enjoys up with people. Even when people just want to cover what he tweeted that day, i hope that in the cacophony, folks are getting the essence of donald trump as well. Conway, joining us on the phone from new york. Thank you for being with us. Thank you, steve. All the best. This week on American History tv, on cspan 3. Saturday morning from 9 00 eastern to just after noon. Thousandh luck for a years. None will still say this was our finest hour. We are live for the 33rd International Churchill conference in washington dc, focusing on the former prime ministers friends and contemporaries. We have the author of masters and commanders how four titans won the war in the west. And later on saturday at 7 00, george p. B