Russian geographical expedition led by M. S. Fedorova discovered Alaska in 1732, which became the possession of the Russian Empire in North America. However, today these territories do not belong to Russia.
Instructions
Step 1
During the Russian Empire, Alaska was a territory of 1.5 million square kilometers in the east, bordered by Canada, which was under the protectorate of the British Empire. This territory was sparsely inhabited and sparsely populated. In terms of ethnic composition, it was represented by Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts and 2500 Russians.
Step 2
For a long time, the northern lands were considered uninhabitable, and therefore were developed mainly by private companies without the participation of the state. In 1799, the monopoly Russian-American Company (RAC) was founded, which until the beginning of the 19th century was engaged in Alaska mainly in the extraction of furs. The income from this fishery could not cover the costs of the development and maintenance of the territory. In addition, the lack of state support affected security, Alaska was paid close attention to by the British Empire, with which the Russian Empire was in very unfriendly relations.
Step 3
For the first time the idea of selling Alaska in 1853 was voiced by the governor of Eastern Siberia - Count N. N. Muravyov-Amursky, explaining his position by the fact that throughout North America there was a rapid development of the railway network, which made Alaska more accessible, and the British Empire became more and more persistent in attempts to penetrate Alaska. Having concluded that Russia would somehow lose the northern lands, the count came out with a proposal to sell the territories to North America.
Step 4
In the same year, the British Navy made an attempt to land troops in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The North American government, fearing British intervention, came up with a proposal to Russia to conclude a deal (for three years), which would be of a fictitious nature, on the sale by the Russian-American company of all its holdings for seven million dollars. The deal was never struck.
Step 5
The next offer to sell Alaska was initiated by the brother of Alexander II, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich, but Russian Foreign Minister A. M. Gorchakov suggested postponing the resolution of this issue until the expiration of the term of office of the Russian-American company. It expired in 1862. At this time, America was engulfed in the Civil War, and the deal did not materialize.
Step 6
In 1866, a meeting was held under the leadership of Alexander II on the sale of Alaska, at the same meeting the border of the territory to be sold was outlined. The signing of the agreement for the sale of Alaska to the United States of America took place in March 1867.
