As Alaska became our and why it was sold to the Americans

More than a century, the Russian Empire owned Alaska and the adjacent Islands until 151 years ago, Alexander II did not give these lands the United States for more than seven million dollars on March 30, 1867 in Washington a Treaty was signed on the sale.

According to the alternative version, Alaska is not sold, but leased for a hundred years, but comrade Khrushchev in 57-m to year it the Americans actually gave. Moreover, some believe that the Peninsula is still ours, because the ship, which was carrying gold to pay for the deal, sank.

Anyway, this whole Alaska for many years was blurred. We offer to understand how it happened that a part of another continent became part of Russia and why has decided to sell the land that over 30 years after the sale produced $ 200 million in gold.

Turnips and potatoes to you

In 1741, outstanding Russian traveler Danish-born Vitus Bering overcame the Strait between Eurasia and North America (which was later named after him) and became the first man who explored the coast of Alaska. Half a century later there came a merchant and part-time Explorer Grigory Shelikhov, who taught the local population of turnips and potatoes, spread among the natives to Orthodoxy and even founded an agricultural colony "Glory to Russia". Since that time, Alaska was owned by the Russian Empire on the rights of the discoverer, and its inhabitants suddenly became subjects of the Emperor.

Indian sabotage

View of the capital of Russian Alaska — new Archangel

The Indians, and they can understand, was unhappy that strangers took over their lands, and even forced to eat turnips. My displeasure they expressed the fact that in 1802, burned St. Michael's fortress, which was founded by the company Shelikhov and his business partners. Together with Church, primary school, shipyard, workshops and Arsenal. Three years later, I burned another strong point of Russian. These daring venture would be to the natives failed, if they are not armed with American and British entrepreneurs.

As if something did not work

Money from Alaska pumped a lot: the fur of the sea otter were worth more than gold. But greed and short-sightedness of producers has led to the fact that in the 1840-ies valuable animals on the Peninsula is almost gone. However, by the time Alaska was discovered oil and gold. This, paradoxically, was a major impetus to get rid of those territories. The fact that Alaska started to arrive American prospectors, and the Russian government reasonably feared that following them will come the American troops, or worse, descend upon the British. To war Empire was not ready, and give Alaska a thank you would be very stupid.

Onerous acquisition

The first page of the agreement "on assignment of the North American United States Russian North-American Colonies"

The idea to sell Alaska while you still can, born the brother of the Emperor Constantine Romanov, who was head of the Naval staff of Russia. This proposal Tsar Alexander II was approved on may 3, 1867 signed a contract for the sale of the overseas lands of the United States for 7.2 million dollars (at the current rate of approximately 119 million gold). On average, turned out somewhere near four and a half dollars per square kilometer with all immovable property located on it.

In accordance with the procedure agreement passed in the U.S. Congress. The Committee on foreign Affairs (in the person of the members of this Committee, you can look in the above illustration) expressed doubts on whether such a costly acquisition in an environment when the country has just ended a civil war. Nevertheless, the Treaty was ratified, and over Alaska hoisted the stars and stripes.

Where is the money?

Check for the purchase of Alaska. Issued in the name of Edward A. Glass

Baron Edouard stoeckl, the charge d'affaires of the Russian Embassy in Washington received a check in the amount of 7 million 200 thousand dollars. 21 thousand he took for writings, 144 thousand as promised gave bribes to senators who voted for the ratification of the Treaty. The rest were sent to London by Bank transfer. Bought this amount of gold bullion by sea had to be taken to Petersburg. When you convert the currency to pounds first, then in gold lost about half a million.

But it's not so bad. Ship "Orkney" carrying gold bullion, sank on the way to the Russian capital. The company that registered the load, declared bankruptcy, and the damage was compensated only partially. Meanwhile on the Peninsula gold rush began, and, as has been said, in 30 years there produced gold at $ 200 million.