Polar Imperative : A History of Arctic Sovereignty in North America

Winner of the 2011 Lionel Gelber PrizeWinner of the 2011 J. W. Dafoe Book PrizeNominated for the 2010 Shaughnessy Cohen PrizeNominated for the 2011 Sir John A. Macdonald PrizeNominated for the Lela Common Book Prize for Canadian HistoryBased on Shelagh Grant’s groundbreaking archival research and drawing on her reputation as a leading historian in the field, __Polar Imperative__ is a compelling overview of the historical claims of sovereignty over this continent’s polar regions. This engaging, timely history examines the unfolding implications of major climate changes; the impact of resource exploitation on the indigenous peoples; the current high-stakes game for control over the adjacent waters of Alaska, Arctic Canada and Greenland; the events, issues and strategies that have influenced claims to authority over the lands and waters of the North American Arctic, from the arrival of the first inhabitants around 3,000 BCE to the present; and sovereignty from a comparative point of view within North America and parallel situations in the European and Asian Arctic.Polar Imperative is a definitive reference on Arctic history and will redefine North Americans’ understanding of the sovereign rights and responsibilities of this northernmost region. Based On Shelagh Grant?s Groundbreaking Archival Research And Drawing On Her Reputation As A Leading Historian In The Field, Polar Imperative Is A Compelling Overview Of The Historical Claims Of Sovereignty Over This Continent?s Polar Regions. This Engaging, Timely History Examines The Unfolding Implications Of Major Climate Changes; The Impact Of Resource Exploitation On The Indigenous Peoples; The Current High-stakes Game For Control Over The Adjacent Waters Of Alaska, Arctic Canada And Greenland; The Events, Issues And Strategies That Have Influenced Claims To Authority Over The Lands And Waters Of The North American Arctic, From The Arrival Of The First Inhabitants Around 3,000 Bce To The Present; And Sovereignty From A Comparative Point Of View Within North America And Parallel Situations In The European And Asian Arctic. Defining The Parameters -- First Inhabitants, 3000 Bc-1500 Ad -- Merchants And Monarchs, 1500-1814 -- The British Admiralty And The Arctic, 1818-53 -- Purchase Of Alaska, 1818-67 -- Sale Of Rupert's Land, 1870 -- British Transfer Of The Arctic Islands, 1870-1900 -- Perfecting Sovereign Titles, 1900-38 -- World War Ii, 1939-45 -- Postware And Cold War, 1946-91 -- Arctic Oil And Aboriginal Rights, 1960-2004 -- Beginning Of A New Era -- Conflicts And Challenges. Shelagh D. Grant. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Winner of the 2011 J. W. Dafoe Book Prize Nominated for the 2011 Sir John A. Macdonald Prize Nominated for the Lela Common Book Prize for Canadian History Based on Shelagh Grants groundbreaking archival research and drawing on her reputation as a leading historian in the field, Polar Imperative is a compelling overview of the historical claims of sovereignty over this continents polar regions. This engaging, timely history examines the unfolding implications of major climate changes; the impact of resource exploitation on the indigenous peoples; the current high-stakes game for control over the adjacent waters of Alaska, Arctic Canada and Greenland; the events, issues and strategies that have influenced claims to authority over the lands and waters of the North American Arctic, from the arrival of the first inhabitants around 3,000 BCE to the present; and sovereignty from a comparative point of view within North America and parallel situations in the European and Asian Arctic. Polar Imperative is a definitive reference on Arctic history and will redefine North Americans understanding of the sovereign rights and responsibilities of this northernmost region. Based on Shelagh Grant 's groundbreaking archival research and drawing on her reputation as a leading historian in the field, Polar Imperative is a compelling overview of the historical claims of sovereignty over this continent's polar regions. This engaging, timely history examines: the unfolding implications of major climate changes the impact of resource exploitation on the indigenous peoples the current high-stakes game for control over the adjacent waters of Alaska, Arctic Canada and Greenland the events, issues and strategies that have influenced claims to authority over the lands and waters of the North American Arctic, from the arrival of the first inhabitants around 3,000 BCE to the present sovereignty from a comparative point of view within North America and parallel situations in the European and Asian Arctic This book will become a standard reference on Arctic history and will redefine North Americans' understanding of the sovereign rights and responsibilities of Canada's northernmost region.