The Alaska Peninsula is currently a US territory. However, almost one and a half hundred years ago, it was Russian territory. Now, many naturally wonder under what circumstances and who sold Alaska to America.
Instructions
Step 1
Many Russians are convinced that the sale of Alaska was a rash deal for Russia, because the peninsula was given over to the United States for practically nothing - only 5 cents per square kilometer of land. At the same time, Alaska not only occupies a strategically important position, but is also crammed with a variety of natural resources: gold, diamonds, offshore oil.
Step 2
However, most of those who are worried about the sale of Alaska to America forget that at the time of the conclusion of the deal, the lands of the peninsula were practically not inhabited.
Step 3
So, for the first time "Russian America" was discovered in 1766 by the merchant Andrian Tolstoy. Since then, the development of Alaska began. Russian seafarers hunted sea and fur animals and fish there.
Step 4
The main problem in the development of Alaska was the supply issue. The lands of the subsequently sold peninsula were of little use for agriculture, gardening and cattle breeding, and the fish diet was unaccustomed to the Russian colonialists. Food had to be brought in, which made the prey of the animal unprofitable.
Step 5
In addition, during the reign of Alexander II, Russia required political reforms: the abolition of serfdom, the development of road construction and industry, the rearmament of the army and navy. All this required a lot of money. And the distant territories of the peninsula demanded protection, which the Russian state could not provide without large financial resources. It was at this point that the US government received an offer to buy Alaska.
Step 6
But even selling Alaska to America was not an easy task. Taxpayers and many American congressmen considered the acquisition of this empty land a waste. For the deal to take place, they had to convince the Emperor's secret adviser, Baron Eduard Andreevich Stekl.
Step 7
Many people answer confidently when asked who sold Alaska to America - Catherine II. This happens because of the categorical statement of the "Lube" group in the song "Don't play the fool, America" that Catherine was wrong. However, this is not true, since the sales agreement was signed in March 1867. These were the times of the reign of Alexander II. The contract amount was $ 7.2 million. Then it was a lot of money for the Russian state.
Step 8
Formally, the territories were transferred to the United States in November 1867, but they could assess how profitably the Americans bought Russian territory only thirty years later, when minerals were found in the bowels of the peninsula.
Step 9
There is another misconception about who sold Alaska to America. In domestic journalism it is said that the peninsula was leased for 99 years, and then no rights were presented to it. But this fact is not confirmed.
