WI- Earlier discovery of oil in Alaska

[clendor]

What if during the Russian control of Alaska Oil and some of its uses was discovered? Would the Tsar sell Alaska?

[mats]

yes, he would. oil wasn't of much use back then.

[Grand Prince Paul II.]

If the coal mining of the RAC had not changed the Emperor Alexanders mind on the issue, some remote and at that time less valueable oil fields would not have done it either.

[Don Lardo]

Originally Posted by clendor

What if during the Russian control of Alaska Oil and some of its uses was discovered? Would the Tsar sell Alaska?

Does anyone have that faceplam icon we've been using lately?

[mats]

then what uses for oil are there? and even if there is an engine wich runs of crude oil, wich can power a vehicle of some sort, i don't think the czar will care much about that barren piece of wasteland.

[clendor]

Originally Posted by mats

then what uses for oil are there? and even if there is an engine wich runs of crude oil, wich can power a vehicle of some sort, i don't think the czar will care much about that barren piece of wasteland.

That's part of the POD. Earlier oil uses, leading to quicker oil search, leading to the finding of oil in Alaska, leading to.... What?

[SavoyTruffle]

Originally Posted by clendor

That's part of the POD. Earlier oil uses, leading to quicker oil search, leading to the finding of oil in Alaska, leading to.... What?

Oil hasn't really reached the widespread use it would have in the 20th century, regardless.

They might sell it anyway.

[Grey Wolf]

Gold might have done it (Klondike etc), oil not at that time

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

[Grand Prince Paul II.]

Originally Posted by Grey Wolf

Gold might have done it (Klondike etc), oil not at that time

The Klondike gold rush was centred on Canadian, not Alaskian territory.
Anyway, gold was found in the upper Stinkine River and the RAC even send two expeditions in order to investigate the discoveries.
It does not matter though, because the territorial holding of the RAC was not sold due to a lack of profitability.

[Ivir Baggins]

Originally Posted by clendor

What if during the Russian control of Alaska Oil and some of its uses was discovered? Would the Tsar sell Alaska?

Russia already had oil in far more accessible places, e.g. Baku, Samara & Perm. It didn't need oil from icy wastes in the middle of nowhere. They had enough icy wastes in the middle of nowhere themselves.

[Mr Qwerty]

Alaskan oil is difficult and inconvenient to acquire. Such sources won't be appealing until the need is sufficient-that is, until convenient domestic sources dry up or prove unable to meet demand. 'Sides, Russia already has lots and lots elsewhere.

[clendor]

OK. So what about a POD that William H. Seward listen to the people's protests and doesn't waste the public's money? Alaska stayes Russian until the discovery of Oil uses. How about that?