Why did Russia sell Alaska to the US?

In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States worth 7.2 million dollars. In just 50 years the ownership of the territory, with a profit of 100 times greater than the purchase price of Alaska. How can skip the imperial officials "hidden treasure" it? On this occasion we will straighten the Alaska obscurity sales history.Alaska Purchase was the purchase of Alaska by the United States from the Russian Empire in 1867. The purchase is increasing areas of the United States amounted to 586 412 square miles (1.5188 million km²).

Russia when it was in a difficult financial position and the fear of losing the Russian Alaska without compensation (especially against Great Britain, their enemy in the Crimean War). Tsar Alexander II chose to sell Alaska. Russia offers Alaska in the United States in 1859. However, the American Civil War broke out.


After the American Civil War ended, Russia's Tsar instructed minister Eduard de Stoeckl the United States to negotiate with the United States. Negotiations began in March 1867, and the United States agreed to purchase Alaska at a price of $ 4.74 / km2, a total of $ 7,200,000. Purchase this proved to be useful for the United States since the discovery of large oil deposits in Alaska.

Why did Russia sell Alaska to the US?In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States worth 7.2 million dollars. Credit: Alamy / Legion Media
Petition reunification of Alaska to Russia are posted on the official website of the "White House" has signed more than 35 thousand people. Many people today regard the United States has stolen Alaska from Russia or hire the area but did not return it. Unlike the myths that exist, the actual transaction is conducted fairly, both sides have their own reasons to make such transactions.




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Alaska Towards Sales
Cossack nation the Conqueror: From Alaska to ParisIn the 19th century, Alaska was the center of international trade. In the capital of Alaska, Novoarkhangelsk (now named Sitka), people selling fabrics from China, tea, and even ice, which is required by the southern United States before the invention of artificial cooling. There was also shipbuilding and factories, as well as coal mines. Note also that there are abundant gold reserves. Of course, the decision to sell this area is not rational.
The merchants of Russia is very interested in the commodity canine fur seals and sea otters, which can be bartered with the natives. At that time the price of canine seals are not inferior to ivory. Russian-American Company (PRA) that run the business. Companies that stand behind those who dare to tend reckless, namely the Russian businessman of the 18th century, the true nomads and also the speculators and traders. All trade and natural resources are owned by the company, and the company was able to make trade agreements with other countries directly, has its own flag and its own currency, which is made from animal skins.
All the privileges granted to the company of the Russian Empire. Empire took a huge tax on the company without taking a role in it. The emperor and his family into the ranks of shareholders of Russian-American Company (PRA) is.

 Pizarro Russia
"Main leader" Russian community in America at that time was a talented merchant, Aleksandr Baranov. He built schools and factories, teach how to plant turnips and potatoes to the natives, built a fort and shipyards, as well as expanding trade sea otters. Baranov referred to himself as "Pizarro Russia" and tied to Alaska not only as a source of income, but also his heart, where he married the child's head Aleut tribe.
During the reign of Baranov, PRA provides a very large income. The advantage of more than 1,000 percent. When Baranov be very old and retired, he was replaced by Captain Hagemeister, which brought military men into the ranks of shareholders and workers. In accordance with the rules, then the company should only be led by the army navy. The rulers are quickly mastered all profitable business at hand, but it also puts the PRA in the balance.

Fast buck
The new rulers decide for themselves exorbitant salaries. Lower level soldiers get 1,500 rubles per year at that time, comparable to the salaries of ministers and senators. While the leaders of the company to get 150,000 rubles. The purchase price of commodities derived skin locals doubled. As a result, within 20 years after that, Eskimo and Aleut tribe nearly hunt sea otters all there, spend the most profitable commodity trading it in Alaska. Aborigines to be poor and rebellious, which is pressed by the Russians who fired indigenous villages on the outskirts of the waters of the Russian warships.
The soldiers tried to find another source of income. So began the ice and the tea trade, which also can not be governed wisely by businessmen. They do not want to lose their own salaries. PRA was finally granted by the state subsidy of 200,000 rubles per year. Unfortunately it did not help.
Along with the crisis, the Crimean War had begun. Russia fought against the allies which consists of Britain, France, and Turkey. Obviously Russia can no longer protect or sustain Alaska, sea lane was already occupied by the allies. Potential gold mine becomes unclear. Fears emerged that Britain can block Alaska, so that Russia will not get anything.
Tensions between Moscow and London continues to increase, while the relationship with the United States government into the dark than ever. The idea of ​​selling Alaska appears practically simultaneously in the minds of Russia and the United States. Baron Edward de Stoeckl, the Russian envoy in Washington, at the command of the Emperor to negotiate with the United States Secretary of State, William H. Seward.

Flag of Russia Does not Want Unloaded
Time officials have agreed on the sale of Alaska, the public opinion of both countries even oppose them. "How do we give up land that is developed with the full power of sacrifice and time, the land passed by telegram and many found a gold mine?" Wrote the Russian newspapers. "What 'icebox' and 50 thousand Eskimos wild fatty fish as a breakfast drink it for America?", Lamented the American press. Not only them, the Senate and the Congress was opposed to the decision.
On March 30, 1867, the purchase agreement of 1.5 million hectares of land belonging to Russia in the United States for $ 7.2 million dollars was signed in Washington. The number of purely as a symbol. Even wasted land in Siberia was not sold as cheap as it was. But the situation was very critical, even Russia could not get anything.
Official handover was conducted in Novoarkhangelsk region. American and Russian soldiers march around the flagpole. Russian flag lowered while accompanied respect rifle. But the flag tangled and stuck on a pole. A sailor had to climb the pole and threw it down, but the flag without inadvertently landed right in the Russian army bayonets. Bad sign! After that Americans began to occupy the city building was renamed Sitka. Hundreds of Russian citizens who decided not to accept US citizenship, had to be evacuated using merchant ships and to the homeland in the next year. 

Why There Are Many in the Russian President?
Not long after that, from the 'icebox' gold flowing like a river. Alaska began contracting 'Klondike gold rush', which gave Americans hundreds of millions of dollars. Painful of course, but who knows what will happen to the world if the relationship of the rulers of Russia when it does not remove the region continues to lose and it's full of problems. Take advantage of it can only be done by a talented trader and bold, not the bureaucrats of the navy.