Discussions about Russian History > Imperial Russian History

Why was Alaska sold?

(1/14) > >>

Moonlight_Densetsu:
I just found this out I had no idea that Russia sold Alaska to the USA :o,was there a reason for the sale?Was Alaska the original name or was it named something else?


TJ

Belochka:
Alaska is only 3 miles from the Russian coast, at its closest coastal point in the Bering Strait. During winter an ice bridge forms between the two land masses and can be easily traversed by foot.

The fur trade declined by the 1860's and the Russian-American Company ceased to exist when Alexander II sold the territory of Alaska to the United States by Treaty for $7.2 million on October 18, 1867. Today this day is known as Alaska Day.

The reasons why Alaska was sold were twofold:

1. It was no longer commercially viable to maintain, due to a steep decline in the animal populations because of the ruthless slaughtering of animals to obtain pelts.

2. Political tensions of the Crimean War with Britain.

Initially it's purchase was considered a folly, "a dreary waste of ice and snow" until the Gold Rush was exposed and the oil began to gush.

The name Alyaska was used by the local native Aleuts and became incorporated into the Russian lexicon by the Russian fur trader Stepan Glotov in 1759.

Today quite a few Alaskan natives hold Russian surnames, while Sitka, the Russian capital on Baranof Island still holds a Russian presence with its Orthodox Church and a few cultural attributes and ceremonies which are offered to modern tourists. ;D  

Moonlight_Densetsu:
Thank you for the information Belochka.I bet the Soviet Union would have had  good use for some Land near the only country that stood in the way of Soviet domination!Thank goodness it was sold.lol


TJ

Dashkova:
According to some Russian and certainly Soviet historians, Alaska was *not* sold, it was leased to the U.S. (for 100 years, much like the deal between UK/Hong Kong).  This is what was frequently taught in Soviet schools.

Now, it's easy to say, as a westerner and/or American, that of course the Sovs were lying about this, and there are of course plenty of reasons to believe they were!

However, I for one, and probably many more people here also realize that the US government is every bit as disgustingly guilty of lies as the USSR ever was. I've known this all my life but was particularly made aware of it when I married first into a family of a Vietnam/POW MIA (A-4E pilot).

No matter what the US history books say about Alaska, they are every bit as likely to be as false as are the Soviet historians.

Belochka:
Dashkova,

How do you explain that Alaska gained Statehood in 1959?

Why did the Soviets not reclaim "their" territory during the Cold War, especially since there were a number of U.S. military bases located along the coast?

??? ???

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page