Module VIII- World War II 1939-45 A Turning Point for Alaska

Essential: Describe the legacy of World War II for Alaska. What happened in Alaska after the war that is largely attributable to WWII? What are Alaskans living with today that is Attributable to WWII?

View along the New Alcan Highway through Canada's Wilderness
built by a Welcome Army of U.S. Soldiers"
by permission of Wartime Information Board added Apr. 8/03

The Alaska Highway is a prime example of something left from World War II. It was built to assist in getting materials to and from Alaska. The war demonstrated Alaska's strategic position and thus a large military presence that continues today. Due to the increase of military, and proximity of Alaska, military bases were also built. This increase in the military also attributes to increased federal spending in Alaska.

The population also grew due to WWII and the military bringing in families. The population doubled from 1950-1960 and continues today.  As service personnel brought their families the impact was felt throughout the communities. As a result media new schools, churches , civic organizations and social clubs were started. Media attention also aided in the increase of population.

Due to the increase in veterans who served in Alaska , many became strong advocates of statehood, and  helped to propel the statehood movement to eventual success in 1959 when President Eisenhower signed the Alaska statehood bill.

Not all good things were left from the war, there is also environmental impacts.Some of the things left behind from the war were:toxic substances such as fuels, solvents, and PCBs have permeated soils and rendered certain areas not suitable for subsistence activities.  Health issues in some rural communities have included the question of connections to WW II toxins that could have entered water and food systems. Today researchers and military are still cleaning up the aftermath of the materials left from the War.

 Although the War brought many soldiers, we are also left with reminders of the devastation and thus ,the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, took steps to acknowledge the importance of Alaska’s role in World War II history by designating eight sites as National Historic Landmarks. The Landmarks include military bases. As mentioned in previous modules WWII definitely had a big significance in Alaska's history and continual progression as a state.
  
Examine:What was the rationale for the lend-lease ALSIB project?



Great Circle Routes
Great Circle Mapper 2012

The Lend-Lease Program was initiated by the U.S. to assist allies in conducting their war efforts by providing a wide array of war materials. In Alaska the Alaska-Siberia Project(ALSIB) was established and lasted from 1942-1945. This included the transport of nearly 8,000 planes from the lower 48, across Canada and then to bases in Alaska that would eventually transport to the USSR.  The ALSIB project was used to help ensure the U.S. would have time to gain strength to enter the fighting.  By propping up Russia the U.S. would have an eastern buffer in fighting Germany.

The first stop in Alaska was at Ladd Field; which is now Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks. The planes would get ready for their journey there, and then Soviet pilots would pick them up the planes from Ladd Field. Once the pilots left Ladd Field, they would then fly to Nome to refuel and  head west across Siberia,.

Initially the ALSIB was a secret, because Stalin was concerned about the Japanese.There was also a need to have interpreters and support staff to be stationed at the Alaska base.

The Land- Lease program also included assistance with Canada, because until 1942 passengers and freight arrived in Alaska either by boat or plane. The proximity to Canada and Alaska helped. The relationship made  possible the construction of the Alaska Canada Military Highway, a 1,420-mile wilderness highway which followed the path of lend-lease aircraft along the Alaska-Siberia air route.


ALSIB Lend-Lease Route to Russia,
Alaska at War 1941-1945,
The Forgotten War Remembered pg. 328

To guarantee supply of these military installations the U.S. built a series of airfields from Montana, north through Canada, to Fairbanks. The airfields served a very significant role, in ferrying nearly 8,000 fighters and bombers from U.S. production plants to be used by our Soviet Union allies against Nazi Germany. To support the airfields and to connect Alaska to the rest of the country, the army made an intial road, the Alcan Highway, now its improved and called the Alaskan Highway.

The Alcan highway was very important to the land-lease agreement.  It was built by,  U.S. Army engineers and U.S Public Roads administration civilians. It started in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and connected to the Richardson highway. The project took a lot of money and man power but was completed in 6 months. The Alcan Highway was officially opened on November 20, 1942. Overall the ALSIB  Began at Great Falls, Montana, Continuing westward,  extended its way through Fairbanks and Nome, Alaska, finally ending in Siberia, Russia.  The Lend-Lease program was helpful in aiding with the War, however it was not only costly with money but also lives. The air route was difficult and dangerous for both planes and pilots with the most difficult leg being the 3,500 mile journey from Fairbanks, Alaska to Central Russia. Due to its better weather conditions and geographical location, Fairbanks was selected as the official transfer point. Overall, the rationale was to aid in the War and transport necessary supplies.

Extend:What other useful information, insights and/or resources have you discovered?

www.travelalaska.com/Destinations/Parks%20and%20Public

I obtained more insight on the reasoning why the Alaskan highway was built, as well as the military forces that began during WWII. I also was unaware of the forgotten battle in the Aleutians and how deeply it effected Alaska and its people. It is very sad to me to see the devastation that was not only left to the land but also the people. I know that now when I think of WWII; I will not only remember Pearl Harbor but what an impact Alaska had and the significance today.

Evaluate: Although this module was and still is important to Alaska, I felt like it was a little smaller than the rest with information, again  it was valuable in understanding the history of the military in Alaska and reevaluating what occurred on the Aleutians during WWII. I would love to have seen video footage.

Blogs I have visited: 
http://dianeisexploringalaska.blogspot.com/
I enjoyed the pictures of the landscape and description of distance
http://brendarosenthal.blogspot.com/
It was interesting to read about economy and villagers living off subsistence
http://shayesexplorealaska.blogspot.com/
I loved the pictures of the totem poles and description of  the art and importance