Part 3/8:
Alaska, originally a Russian territory until its purchase by the U.S. in 1867, has always been pivotal in the geopolitical landscape. Prior to the 1940s, the region had a negligible population, but with the threat of Japanese aggression during World War II, the American military began reinforcing its presence in Alaska. As tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union escalated post-war, the significance of this icy territory became even clearer.