Which Russian sovereign sold Alaska? Who gave Alaska to America? Did Catherine sell Alaska? History of the sale of Alaska to America

Until now, many consider it one of the most mysterious transactions in Russia. Some believe that this land was sold by Empress Catherine the Second. Others even believe that Alaska was not sold to the United States, but was leased by Decree of this reigning person for ninety-nine years. The deadline expired, but the lands were never returned to the Russians. As if already during the times of the Soviet Union, Secretary General Brezhnev did not want to take it back.

But if you remember in what year Alaska was sold to America, it becomes clear that Catherine had nothing to do with this. Emperor Alexander II ruled Russia during this period. And it was he who played the decisive role in history that some attribute to other rulers. This Russian Tsar is accused of practically giving away a huge territory. But there is only one version in official history about how things really were, how the peculiar territorial triangle of Alaska-Russia-USA took shape, the individual details of which are still unknown to many.

Geography

Even a schoolchild knows that this peninsula is a cold and harsh land, where arctic and subarctic climate zones reign. Severe frosty winters with knocking winds and snowy blizzards are the norm in this region. And this is not surprising: it’s enough to just imagine where Alaska is. The only exception is a small part of the Pacific coast, where the climate is temperate and quite suitable for human life. Includes the state of Alaska, mainland territory up to the border with Canada. In addition, it includes the Aleutian, Fox, Trinity and Alexander Islands. Also, this peninsula is connected by a narrow strip of land stretching along the Pacific coast to the Dixon Entrance Strait. It is here that one of the most original capitals in the world is located - Juneau.

Alaska - Russia

The United States called this region nothing less than “Russian America.” During the second half of the eighteenth century, fur traders became increasingly interested in Alaska. Already in the early sixties, here, on the island of Unalaska, the Russians founded a village and, naturally, a port through which trade in harvested fur was to be carried out. In 1784, merchant and explorer Grigory Shelikhov, using his own funds, organized an expedition to these regions, during which he built a settlement on Kodiak Island.

At the end of the century, European sailors came here and even attempted to declare Spanish sovereignty over certain areas of Alaska. However, they did not achieve any results. And today only a few non-local geographical names remind of them in these parts, for example the port of Valdez.

The same Shelikhov, a few years later, initiated the organization of a commercial company for the development of Alaska, the creation of which was supposed to be similar to the British East India. It was created in 1799, and its first leader was again Alexander Andreevich Baranov, who had represented the interests of Russian industrialists in America since the late eighties. It was he who founded several settlements in Alaska, including modern Sitka, which was then called the city of Novoarkhangelsk.

The company's activities as a whole were of a dual nature. On the one hand, it was engaged in predatory fur fishing, but at the same time it contributed to the development of arable farming and cattle breeding in some areas. From the beginning of the eighties, this activity was complicated by the struggle with American and British entrepreneurs who were arming local aborigines in order to fight against the Russians.

And in 1824, Russia signed a number of treaties with the governments of the USA and England. These documents at the state level determined the boundaries of Russian possessions in North America. Less than four and a half decades remained before Alaska became American.

Difficult situation

In 1861, as is known, serfdom was abolished in Russia. In order to pay compensation to his landowners, as well as to pay the company’s expenses, Tsar Alexander II was forced in 1862 to borrow fifteen million pounds sterling from the Rothschilds at five percent per annum. However, the financial magnates soon had to return something, and the royal treasury was empty.

The very first initiative suggesting the sale, or rather the annexation of Alaska to America, was made by the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia. This happened in 1853. In his opinion, the deal was simply inevitable. But then no one listened to him. And four years later, Grand Duke Constantine - the younger brother of the Sovereign - offered to sell Alexander “something unnecessary”. The most unnecessary thing turned out to be the northern unexplored lands, which the Russians, in fact, did not develop.

The very fact of alienation, as well as the history of Russia’s sale of Alaska, is perceived by many today in their own way. But the reasons at that time were more than obvious: this huge territory never brought the Russians much income, and sea otters, fur seals and other owners of the most valuable furs, which at that time were in demand on the world market, were mostly killed by industrialists. In general, the colony mainly survived only due to large supplies of ice to the cities of California. There was no money then to maintain military garrisons and officials working here in this icy territory in order to develop the colossal lands. Russia, having only recently survived the Crimean War, experienced financial difficulties after the defeat.

Background

Naturally, the history of the transfer of Alaska to America has its own predecessor; in addition, such a step pursued certain goals and had good reasons. It is known that at the beginning of the nineteenth century this land brought in significant income through the fur trade, but by the sixties of the same century it became clear that future expenses would be significantly greater than the potential profit. You will have to constantly spend money not only on the banal maintenance of this territory, but also on its protection, and if you remember where Alaska is located on the map, you can imagine how much all this would cost the bankrupt Russian empire.

Prerequisites

The official history of Russia's sale of Alaska states that the proposal for a deal came from the famous Russian diplomat Eduard Stekl. And the negotiations began precisely at the time when Great Britain began to make its claims to this territory.

And this was another reason why it was very beneficial for Russia to get rid of its northern land.

The question of in what year the Russians sold Alaska to America is causing considerable controversy today. Some call the year 1866, others - 1867. It must be said that both of these dates are true.

Secret negotiations

On December 16, 1866, on a cloudy, gloomy winter day, Emperor Alexander II convened a meeting. It was attended by his brother Prince Konstantin, the ministers of the naval and financial departments, as well as Baron Eduard Stekl, the Russian ambassador in Washington. It must be said that the idea of ​​selling by the participants was approved and supported. Actually, from that moment the annexation of Alaska to the United States began. At first they waited for the end of the period of privileges, then - the civil war in the United States. But nevertheless, on March 18, 1867, Johnson, after much deliberation, finally signed the Decree transferring special powers to William Seward. At the proposal of the Minister of Finance, the minimum threshold price for Alaska was established: five million rubles. A week later, the Russian emperor, having confirmed the borders of his state, sent Stekl to America with an official appeal to Secretary of State Seward. After this, negotiations literally immediately began, during which it was possible to agree on an agreement to purchase Alaska from the Russian state for seven million dollars.

USA and Tsarist Russia

By the beginning of the sale process, Russia's relations with America had reached their climax. Even during the Crimean War, the United States repeatedly emphasized: if the boundaries of the conflict expand, they will not take an anti-Russian position. The intention to sell Alaska was kept in deep secrecy. Surprisingly, given the already sufficient level of foreign intelligence at that time, information did not leak to third countries. The London newspaper The Times wrote with great concern about the mysterious mutual sympathy rising between the United States and Russia. Moreover, the money paid for these northern lands paid off in a short time, and there is no need to talk about the strategic advantage of this deal, just imagine where Alaska is located on the map.

Great Britain's dissatisfaction was justified: the treaty of 1867 not only made these two states closest neighbors, but also gave the Americans the opportunity to surround English possessions in the north on all sides. The statement of the American General Welbridge at a dinner party in honor of the Russian delegation also added fuel to the fire. Its meaning was as follows: there are two significant hemispheres on the planet, western and eastern, and one should be personified by the United States, and the second by Russia. Naturally, this was only a subtle diplomatic play on words, but the fact remains: the Russians seriously supported the Americans in their rise.

Direct transfer

The signing of the treaty took place on March thirtieth, 1867 in Washington. It was compiled in French and English, which were the diplomatic languages ​​at that time. Interestingly, there is simply no official text in Russian. According to the terms of the treaty, the entire Alaska Peninsula, as well as its ten-mile-wide coastline to the south, passed to America.

The US Senate, although it doubted the feasibility of such a purchase, most of its members supported the deal.

On October 18, 1867, Alaska was officially transferred to the Americans. On the Russian side, the protocol on the transfer of this territory was signed by A. A. Peschurov, a special government commissioner, captain of the second rank. Interestingly, this day was introduced and Therefore, the residents of Alaska woke up on the eighteenth of October, although they went to bed on the fifth of October. Therefore, if the answer to the question of what year Alaska was sold to America is clear, then the same cannot be said about the day the agreement was signed.

Mystic

On October 18, 1867, at half past three in the afternoon, the flag was changed on the flagpole located in front of the house of the ruler of Alaska. Russian and American troops lined up, and at a signal, one non-commissioned officer on each side began to lower the banner, raised during the Russian-American campaign. The ceremony itself took place in an atmosphere of great solemnity, however, until the flag, tangled at the very top in the ropes, caused the painter to break.

At the order, several sailors rushed to climb up to try to untangle the fabric remaining from the banner, which hung in tatters on the mast. However, no one thought to shout from below to the sailor who was the first to reach him, so that he would not throw the banner down, but would get down with him. And when he dropped it from above, the flag fell on Russian bayonets. To mystics, this incident would have seemed like a sign, but at that moment it did not occur to anyone to think about it. In general, the history of the transfer of Alaska to America is shrouded in thousands of myths, but many of them are not true.

Glass and its mission

The diplomat Steckl played a significant role in the sale of Alaska. Since 1850, he was charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy in the United States, and from 1854 he moved to the position of Russian envoy. Glass's wife was American, so he was fairly integrated into the highest circles of American society. Such extensive connections helped him and facilitated the implementation of the deal. The Russian diplomat actively lobbied for the interests of the Russian emperor. In order to persuade the Senate to make a decision on the purchase of Alaska, Steckl paid bribes, using all his connections. Alexander II awarded him a reward of twenty-five thousand dollars, as well as a lifelong pension of six thousand rubles.

Eduard Andreevich immediately after the sale of Alaska came to St. Petersburg for a short time, but soon left for Paris. Until the end of his life, this diplomat avoided Russian society, however, it also avoided him. After the Alaska story, Glass retained its bad reputation. And there were reasons for this.

Where's the money?

Seven million thirty-five thousand dollars - that’s exactly what was left of the originally agreed upon 7.2 million. Eduard Stekl, having received the check, kept the reward for himself, distributed almost one and a half hundred thousand as bribes to the senators who voted for ratification, and transferred the remaining money by bank transfer to London, from where the gold bars purchased for the entire amount traveled to St. Petersburg by sea. Some of the payment was also lost when converted into pounds and gold. But this was not the last loss of Russia.

The main historical question is not in what year Alaska was sold to America, but where the proceeds from this transaction went.

The bark Orkney, on board which carried the cargo so long-awaited for the Russian state, sank on July 16, 1868, already approaching St. Petersburg. It is still unknown whether there was gold on it, or whether it never left Foggy Albion. Moreover, the insurance company declared itself completely bankrupt, and therefore the damage to the Russians was only partially compensated. The Rothschilds failed to pay off the debt, but tsarist Russia nevertheless lost a huge piece of land.

Errors and conjectures

The history of Russia's sale of Alaska still gives rise to all sorts of judgments and speculations. Since the negotiations were conducted in the strictest confidence, the signing of the agreement was hidden for a long time. And only a year later the convention was published in French in the Diplomatic Yearbook. Such secrecy gave rise to speculation, first of all, that Alaska was leased to the United States for a period of ninety-nine years, and after this period it would be returned to Russia again. This erroneous version became so tenacious that when this period expired, in the middle of the last century, demands began to be heard for its transfer back. But, unfortunately, this was only a delusion. Alaska was not leased, but was sold forever.

Data

Interestingly, the United States has been actively expanding its territories over the past two centuries. Few people know that back in 1803, America bought Louisiana from France for fifteen million dollars, and a little later, for an amount three times less, it successfully acquired Florida from Spain. And ten years later, in 1818, during the process of dividing the “inheritance,” most of the territory was transferred to the United States from Mexico.

No less remarkable is the fact that Alaska officially became another state only in 1959, and not at all in 1867, when it was sold.

Alaska once belonged to the Russian Empire. But due to certain circumstances, Russia was forced to sell the territory of Alaska to America. Many people mistakenly assume that Catherine II sold Alaska. This is a false statement that gained popularity because of one popular song, “Don't Be a Fool, America,” by the Lube group. From this article you will find out who gave Alaska to America.

How the deal went

It is well known that in 1867, on October 18, Alaska was officially given to the United States for seven million US dollars. The protocol on the transfer of land to American ownership was signed by Russian Commissioner Peshchurov on board the American ship Ossipee. Immediately on this day, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, which synchronized time with the Western Territory of the United States. That's why people in Alaska went to bed on October 5th and woke up immediately on October 18th. After which American troops were brought into possession, who evicted the local residents and resettled their own citizens.

Why Alaska was given to the USA

signing of an agreement between the United States and Russia on the sale of Alaska

This was not the first time that the idea of ​​selling Alaska arose, but it became urgently necessary during the Crimean War. During this period, Russia's enemy, Britain, demanded its rights to own Alaska. The United States was also concerned that Great Britain could seize the northern continent of America in order to advance to the states. The government of the Russian Empire considered it unprofitable to keep its possessions in Alaska. Therefore, Emperor Nicholas II (great-grandson of Catherine II) decided to sell Alaska to the US government. Russian diplomat Eduard Stekl was appointed as the person directly responsible for negotiations on the sale of Alaska.

On March 30, 1867, an agreement was signed between Russia and America on the sale of Alaska. The value of the transaction was about 7.2 million dollars in gold, which is approximately 108 million dollars in gold today. However, the treaty had to be approved by the US Senate. At first, many senators had doubts about spending so much money on acquiring an unknown piece of land, given that the country had recently ended a difficult civil war. But still, the agreement was adopted on May 3. And a couple of months later Alaska was transferred to America.

Thus, it turns out that Nicholas 2 is the one who officially gave Alaska to America. Although the idea of ​​selling was not his personal initiative, but other people’s.

Back in 1866, when the reins of power belonged to Emperor Alexander II, a representative of Russia was sent to Washington. The purpose of his trip was to negotiate, in strict confidentiality, with the American government on the sale of Alaska. A year later, in March 1867, a sales agreement was signed, in which America initiated the deal for the whole world.

The agreement stated that the entire territory of the peninsula, as well as the coastline extending 10 miles to the south, became the property of the United States. Surprisingly, the text of this agreement was drawn up in two languages ​​- English and French. There is no Russian version of this document.

The initial initiative to sell Alaska came from N. Muravyov-Amursky during his years as governor of Eastern Siberia. He considered the deal inevitable and extremely necessary for Russia. 4 years later, this issue was raised by the emperor’s brother, Prince Konstantin Nikolaevich.

E. Stekl, a Russian diplomat, was present at the execution of the document and its signing. For carrying out the transaction, as well as for “faith, law and the king,” E. Stekl was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, a monetary reward of 25,000 rubles and an annual pension.

How much did they sell Alaska for?

The agreement on the sale of “Russian America”, or Alaska, was postponed several times. At first, the deal was postponed due to the Civil War in the United States, then the authorities of the countries waited for the expiration of the RAC benefits. Nevertheless, negotiations took place, during which the exact cost of the peninsula was established - $7.2 million.

It was not for nothing that answers were not found for a long time to the question of who sold Alaska. The deal was classified as “secret”, and only the emperor and his five close ministers knew about the signing of the papers. The transfer of the peninsula to the United States was announced only 2 months after the agreement.

In some Russian newspapers this event was placed on the back pages, and no one attached much importance to it. Moreover, due to their ignorance and illiteracy, many people did not even know that there were distant northern regions that belonged to the Russian Empire.

The amount that the Americans gave for the peninsula was very significant in those days. But based on Alaska's vast area, one square kilometer of its land cost only about $5. So it was a very good deal for America.

In October 1967, Alaska was officially transferred to the United States. Russia was represented by government commissioner A. Peschurov. Immediately on this day, the Gregorian calendar came into force on the peninsula. If that day in the evening it was October 5, then in the morning the residents woke up on October 18!

Myth or truth?

Since the history of the transfer of Alaska to the United States was shrouded in secrecy, there are still disputes and investigations about this matter. Some say that the Americans were given this land on lease and are using it illegally. There are suggestions that the peninsula was sold by Catherine II. What really happened and who sold Alaska?

"Russian America" ​​was sold by Emperor Alexander II during his reign. Catherine could not do this, since she died back in 1796.

Alaska was sold, not leased. This is evidenced by an agreement with the exact amount and signatures of the two parties. The only disagreement so far is the topic of money.

One of the clauses of the contract stated that America undertakes to pay Russia an amount of $7.2 million in gold coins. However, it later turned out that Russia received a check from the United States with the amount written on it. Where this check went and who cashed it is still unknown.

Why did they sell Alaska to America?

Of course, Russia pursued its own goals when selling Alaska. There were several reasons to get rid of this harsh peninsula:

• The only profit that Alaska brought to Russia in those years was fur. The flow of hunters increased over time, and uncontrolled poaching destroyed most of the planned state income. A sharp drop in the production of valuable furs led to the fact that Alaska was recognized as an unprofitable region. The peninsula immediately lost its original commercial significance, and its territories completely ceased to be developed.
• The costs of maintaining, researching, extracting resources and protecting Alaska significantly exceeded the pennies that Russia received from it. In addition, the remoteness of the peninsula, harsh climate and unacceptable living conditions played a decisive role in the question of its importance for the country.
• The fighting that took place in those years in the Far East showed that Alaska was completely unprotected from invasion and capture. The government of the Russian Empire thought that in the event of an attack on Alaska, its lands would have to be given away for nothing. Therefore, it was more expedient to sell the peninsula and replenish the state treasury.
• Negotiations on the sale of Alaska took place precisely during an unfavorable combination of circumstances. Another state, Great Britain, laid claim to its territory. Therefore, it was profitable for the Russian Empire to sell Alaska and in this way get rid of the brewing conflict.

Alaska is an amazing, cold, proud land, rich, and completely unknown. Here alone there are 3 million clear lakes, 100 thousand glaciers, 70 dangerous volcanoes. About 5 thousand earthquakes occur in these parts every year, some of which reach a magnitude of 3.5.

• The capital of Alaska can only be reached by plane or ferry. It is impossible to travel by car, since the climate of the region is a constant riot of snowstorms, storms, avalanches and icy wind currents.
• Alaska supplies 1/5 of all the oil needed by the United States. A rich deposit was discovered in 1968 in the village of Prudhoe Bay, from which the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline was laid.
• The presence of an oil pipeline in the pristine nature of the peninsula is causing a storm of emotions among environmentalists. The most publicized case occurred in 2001. D. Lewis, being drunk, fired at the oil pipeline, which contributed to the illegal release of oil in the amount of 6 thousand barrels. For this he received 16 years in prison and a huge fine - $17 million.
• Every animal in Alaska is the property of the state. If an animal dies under the wheels of a car, the driver must immediately report this to special services. The carcass of a downed large animal (moose or deer) is butchered, and the meat is given to poor families. This helps those in need in the northern lands survive the harsh winter months.
• Alaska has a peculiar cycle of days and nights. In summer the sun does not set at all, and in winter there is a period of endless darkness. Due to the lack of solar heat and light, its residents suffer from depression. However, there are also advantages: thanks to the constant summer sun, some vegetables, such as cabbage and pumpkin, can reach incredible sizes.
• Fantastic gold reserves were found on the peninsula. In total, about 1,000 tons of gold were mined in Alaska, and huge reserves of silver and copper were also discovered.

The right decision or a rash act?

When thunder struck the whole world about the colossal deposits of valuable metals, gas and oil on the peninsula, many began to ridicule the short-sighted Russian emperor, discussing how it was possible to sell Alaska, a gold-bearing mine. However, if you look at the situation from the perspective not of today, but of the times of 1867, much becomes clearer.

At that time, the Russian Empire was mired in debt, intrigue, and was at war. Serfdom fell, and compensation began to be paid from the treasury to nobles who could not cover their material losses. And the Crimean War took a decent share of state funds.

During this difficult time, the Empire simply did not have the means and opportunities for development and exploration of Alaska. Of course, this could be done over time. But, who knows, maybe if they hadn’t sold Alaska then, they would have simply lost it, losing it to some aggressive country.

Every year on October 18th, Alaska holds a special holiday. In the joyful excitement of costumed performances, guns are fired and the American flag is raised. Words of gratitude are loudly spoken to Russia, which allowed the United States to carry out one of the most successful deals - the acquisition of rich land, once called “Russian America”.

5 (100%) 1 vote

150 years ago, on October 18, 1867, in the city of Novoarkhangelsk (now called Sitka), the Russian flag was lowered and the US flag was raised. This symbolic ceremony sealed the transfer of our American territories to the United States. Alaska Day is a holiday celebrated in the state on October 18th. However, disputes about the advisability of selling the territory have not subsided to this day. Why Russia abandoned its possessions in America - in the RT material.

• Signing of the Treaty for the Sale of Alaska, March 30, 1867
• © Emanuel Leutze / Wikimedia Commons

In the early 60s of the 19th century, Russia was in crisis, which was associated with defeat in the Crimean War (1853-1856). Russia suffered, if not a crushing, but extremely unpleasant defeat, which exposed all the disadvantages of the political and economic system.

This land was ours: how Alaska was sold

On March 30, 1867, an agreement was signed in Washington on the sale by Russia of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States of America. Solution…

Much needed reforming. Nicholas I, who died before the end of the war, left his heir, Alexander II, many unresolved issues. And to get out of the crisis, boost the economy and restore authority in the international arena, strength and money were required.

Against this background, Alaska did not look like a profitable asset. The economic rationale for the development of American territories was primarily the fur trade. However, by the middle of the 19th century this resource was largely exhausted. Russian industrialists, being far from the “sovereign eye,” did not care about preserving natural wealth. The sea animal sea otter, whose fur represented the most valuable resource, was already on the verge of destruction due to uncontrolled fishing.

Pragmatic calculation

Neither the Russian government nor the residents of Russian Alaska had any idea that the region was rich in gold and oil. And the value of oil in those years was not at all the same as it is today. Alaska was located many months by sea from St. Petersburg, so the government had no real opportunity to control it. Skeptics can also be reminded that Russia properly began to develop the northeast of the Asian part of the country only in the Soviet years. It is unlikely that Alaska would have been developed faster and more efficiently than Chukotka.

• Russian church on Kodiak Island off the southern coast of Alaska. The ground is covered in volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Katmai
• © The Library of Congress

Finally, only shortly before the sale of Alaska, Russia concluded the Aigun and Beijing treaties. According to them, the state included significant territories of the Far East, all of present-day Primorye, a significant part of the modern Khabarovsk Territory and the Amur Region. All these lands required intensive development (this is precisely why Vladivostok was founded).

The Aigun Treaty was the merit of an outstanding administrator, the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia, Count Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky, whom every Russian today knows by the image of his monument on the five-thousandth banknote. It was he who initiated the idea of ​​selling Alaska. And it’s hard to blame Muravyov-Amursky for his lack of patriotism. His position boiled down to a rational choice, well expressed in the proverb “If you chase two hares, you won’t catch either.”

• "Map of the Arctic Sea and Eastern Ocean", drawn up in 1844
• © The Library of Congress

Russia had to either gain a foothold in the rich Far East, or continue to cling to remote Alaska. The government understood: if the Americans or the British from neighboring Canada took the remote outpost seriously, it would not be possible to fight on equal terms with them - the distances were too great to transport troops, the infrastructure was too vulnerable.

Alaska in exchange for empire

The sale of remote territories was not some unique Russian practice. At the beginning of the 19th century, France sold the United States a much warmer Louisiana, closer to the metropolis and rich in obvious resources at that time. Recent and not the best examples were Texas and California, which Mexico ceded for next to nothing after direct American aggression. Between the Louisiana and Texas options, Russia chose the first.

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In the 60s of the 19th century, the United States and Russia were at the peak of friendly relations. Reasons for political conflicts between states have not yet appeared; moreover, Russia supported Washington during the civil war. Therefore, negotiations on the sale of Alaska took place in a calm tone and on mutually beneficial terms, although there was some bargaining. The United States did not exert any pressure on Russia, and did not have any grounds or tools for this. The transfer of American territories to the United States became, although secret, a completely transparent deal for the participants themselves.

Russia received about 11 million rubles for Alaska.

The amount was significant at that time, but still they gave less for Alaska than, for example, for Louisiana. Even taking into account such a “thrift” price on the American side, not everyone was sure that the purchase would justify itself.

The money received for Alaska was spent on the railway network, which was then just being built in Russia.

So, thanks to this deal, the Russian Far East developed, railways were built, and the successful reforms of Alexander II were carried out, which provided Russia with economic growth, returned international authority and made it possible to get rid of the consequences of defeat in the Crimean War.

Dmitry Fedorov

The entire land area of ​​Alaska is equal to approximately three territories of France. Initially it belonged to Russia. Platinum, tungsten, coal and other minerals are mined in Alaska. There are many huge oil fields there.

Moreover, all this wealth is now being mined by the United States. So who gave Alaska to America and in what year? Many believe that Catherine II was the culprit of the transfer. However, this opinion is erroneous, and to understand the situation, it is necessary to delve into history.

How did Russia get Alaska?

Many believe that the Russian explorer Vitus Bering was the first to discover Alaska. The pioneer crossed the strait, which was later named after him. A little later, on October 22, 1784, merchant Grigory Shelikhov appeared on the shores of Alaska. He became the founder of the first settlement on the island. Kodiak. After 4 years, the village was badly damaged by the tsunami, and the village moved to the other side of the island, which was called Pavlovskaya Harbor.

Shelikhov taught the Indians to eat potatoes and turnips, became a distributor of Orthodoxy and founded the settlement “Glory to Russia”. From the moment colonization began (in 1795), Alaska officially became Russian territory. A few years later, the capital appeared - Sitka. 200 Russians and 1 thousand aulets lived in it.

Alaska Sitka

However, Alaska was actually discovered not by Bering, but by Semyon Dezhnev in 1648. He started his journey from the mouth of the Kolyma and ended it in Anadyr. Dezhnev, naturally, shared the discovery with Peter I. However, the emperor decided to check that Asia and America were connected. Therefore, he sent the ships of Chirikov and Bering to Alaska.

In 1732, the first expedition to the new Russian territory took place. In 1741 it was examined for the first time. Of the Europeans, the first person to visit Alaska was James Cook, then the Spanish expedition was met by the Russians. In any case, it turns out that the territory was Russian from the very beginning.

Who sold Alaska to America and when?

To figure out who sold Alaska among the kings, we need to go back into history for a while. Until Shelikhov died, he managed to significantly (in the first 3 years alone - 20 times) increase his capital. At first, fur was mined in Alaska, which was highly valued not only in Russia, but also abroad.

In 1799, his son-in-law, chamberlain and part-time count, founded the Russian-American Company (in the likeness of the East India Company). It also included members of the imperial family. By decree of Paul the First, the right to govern Alaska was transferred to the company. The territory even had a flag and an armed fleet.

So who gave Alaska to America - Catherine or Alexander? When gold was discovered on the territory, American prospectors flocked there. The Russian Empire was not ready for confrontation, but it did not want to give up Alaska so easily.

The idea of ​​selling it first arose from Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky, Governor-General of V. Siberia. The proposal was made in strict secret, before the start of the Crimean War. In 1853, the governor conveyed the idea in the form of a note to Emperor Nicholas the First. In the letter, the general described in detail the importance of improving relations with the United States and strengthening positions in the Far East.

Then the idea was supported by Konstantin Romanov, the emperor's brother. Alexander II approved this proposal, and an agreement between the countries was signed. Alaska was sold for only $7.5 million. Payment to Russia was sent in gold scrolls by sea. However, the ship sank near St. Petersburg.

When the question arises which king gave Alaska to America, for some reason many people are sure that it was Catherine. There is even a story that the empress did not know Russian well and entrusted the drafting of the agreement to her confidant. And he, instead of transferring Alaska to America “forever,” wrote “forever” and it turned out that forever. Other people associate this story with Catherine because of the famous song of the Lyube group. However, history refutes the empress's participation.

If we take into account the year in which Alaska was sold, then Catherine did not enter into any contracts at that time. Documents appeared only under Alexander II, which is officially confirmed by history.

In what year was Alaska given to America?

So, in what year did Alaska go to America? The official date for the transfer of territories is 1867. It was then that papers were signed between the two countries. Then the American flag began to wave in Alaska. The lands began to be considered an American colony. If we consider in what year Alaska became an American colony, then this date is 1959.

Negotiations on the transfer of land began in December 1866. Then a “special meeting” was held at the Russian Foreign Ministry. Alexander II was also present at this meeting. After all issues were resolved, the agreement was signed on March 30 (according to the old calculation - the 18th) 1867. The official transfer of Russian territories took place on October 18 of the same year. The end of the deal was reached after receiving a check from the United States for $7.2 million. This happened in the summer of 1968.

Why did they give Alaska to America?

Why Alaska was given to America - all possible reasons still do not sound intelligible. There are several options. The origins of the company that ruled Alaska were merchants from two provinces. They asked the empress for an interest-free loan to use this money to develop the land. However, Catherine refused, as she was entirely occupied with what is now Crimea.

Then the company received the right to a monopoly, but already under Paul I. The cession of land took place in secret from the Russian-American company. The approval of the government after the letter from the emperor's brother was already considered a regular formality. It is interesting that this paper with the proposal to cede Alaska was written 10 years before the fact.

When Russia gave Alaska to America, it was simply a cession of territory for one century. Russia never received money for the sale, nor did it receive dividends for the use of the territories. It turns out that the Americans simply took away Alaska in a cunning way. Moreover, they took advantage of the time when the Russian Empire had many problems, and it was not ready to defend distant lands with war.

It is interesting that the Russian side does not have any purchase and sale documents. The reason was a strange clause (when transferring lands to America) that the entire archive (concerning the disputed territories) should also go into its use. What arguments did the emperor’s brother put forward for the empire to get rid of these lands:

1. Konstantin Nikolaevich was a member of the geographical society. He began to argue that Alaska is located too far from Russian territories. However, Chukotka, Kamchatka and Sakhalin are not closer, but it was Russian America that was chosen.

2. The second argument was that the company that owns Alaska is suffering from unprofitable land. There is supposedly no profit from them. However, there is documentary evidence that there were still incomes (although not fabulous).

3. The third argument is an empty treasury. This was true. However, the $7.2 million for which Alaska was ceded could not fill the empty niche. At that time, 500 million rubles were required to fill the budget. The amount of 7.2 million dollars was approximately equal to only 10 Russian million. In addition, the empire also owed 1.5 billion. Then it is completely unclear why they would conclude such an unprofitable deal with America.

4. A fairly compelling argument could be considered starting a war that the empire could not cope with in order to retain the lands of Alaska. However, in 1854 the war was waged in several directions at once - in the Crimea, in the Far East, in the Baltic. The Empire successfully repelled the British and French squadrons in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In 1863, the American Civil War and international conflict were completely ended.

The idea that originated with Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky, Governor-General of V. Siberia, led to the writing of a letter to the emperor. In the message, the result of the reasoning sounded in the form of a proposal to cede overseas possessions to America. The general was sure that this issue would arise sooner or later.

If the Russian Empire does not agree to such a compromise, then the lands will still be taken away, since it will not be able to protect them. It turns out that if you close the deal now, you can even make money on it.

At that time, approximately 800 Russians, 1900 Creoles and almost 5 thousand Aleuts actually lived in Alaska. 40 thousand Indians also settled in the territories. However, they did not recognize Russian power. For an area of ​​1.5 million km², Russians were indeed in a large minority.

After such calculations, the St. Petersburg authorities treated Muravyov’s letter very loyally. The general's proposals began to be carefully studied and calculated. The empty treasury also spurred a positive decision.

Perhaps the Russian Empire hoped that after the cession of the territory of Alaska, relations between the countries would improve. This argument would be the most naive. At that time, Russia did not have a common border with the Americans, and even if we entered into a sale and purchase transaction, it would have been much more profitable with the British. True, after the territories passed to the United States, almost friendly relations were established for some time. However, as history has shown - not for long.

The ceded territories included not only the entire peninsula, but also 10 miles of coastline in southern Alaska along the coast of British Columbia. Many islands were included in the treaty (Aleutian, Bering Sea and many others).

At the same time, all archives and property located on the former Russian territory, as well as documents of historical and legal value, were transferred to America.