Apple of Discord: Struggle of Russia, Canada and the USA for Wrangel Island in 1920s

In the early 20th century, Wrangel Island became a focal point of international dispute involving Russia, Canada, and the United States. The conflict was instigated by Canadian polar explorer W. Stefansson, who sought to claim the island for Canada through a private expedition in 1921. However, the Canadian government feared this would undermine its broader Arctic claims. Stefansson later announced that his expedition would guarantee British rights to the island, drawing Russia, Britain, and the U.S. into the dispute. Russia vehemently opposed foreign claims, while the U.S. preferred Russian sovereignty over British or Japanese control. By 1924, Britain and Canada abandoned their claims, resolving the dispute. This study highlights how geopolitical tensions shaped Arctic territorial negotiations, ultimately leading to the establishment of Arctic sectors by Canada and Russia.

Volodin, D. (2019). Apple of Discord: Struggle of Russia, Canada and the USA for Wrangel Island in 1920s. USA & Canada: Economics – Politics – Culture, (11), 71–87. https://doi.org/10.31857/s032120680007287-9