Alaska boundary dispute

At the turn of the 20th century, one of the most serious debates between Canada and the United States concerned the establishment of the Alaska boundary. It was necessary to determine who owned the posts at the end of the Lynn Canal and therefore who controlled maritime access to the Yukon. Early negotiations ground to a painful halt in 1899. In 1903 a commission was formed consisting of three Americans, one Briton, and two Canadians. In a majority decision that included the British representative, the commission rejected the Canadian claims. This outcome immediately set off a wave of anti-American and even anti-British sentiment, and Canadians became increasingly convinced that their country should take charge of its own affairs.