Anna Hartz
The Forgotten Story of Russia’s Sale of Alaska
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Russia often says that Ukraine belongs to its historical world. But history tells a different story, writes Ziare in an article.
The Russian Empire once gave up a huge piece of land that today is one of the most valuable parts of the United States. That land is Alaska.
Russian expansion began in the 1500s. Cossacks conquered Siberia, and fur traders kept pushing east.
By 1741, explorer Vitus Bering discovered the sea passage between Russia and Alaska.
This opened the way to colonization. In 1784, Russian merchants founded the first settlements in Alaska.
Russia didn’t stop there. In 1812, it even set up Fort Ross in California, just 90 kilometers from today’s San Francisco.
But that colony failed. The Russians had poor supply lines. Native tribes pushed back.
And competition from Britain and the U.S. made it even harder. Russia gave up Fort Ross in 1841.
That left Alaska as its last stronghold in North America. But only for a while.
In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million. That would be around $120 million today.
There were several reasons. Russia lacked the tools and people to develop the land.
They also feared Britain might take Alaska by force. After losing the Crimean War, Russia was weak. So, the Tsar focused on expanding in Asia instead.
At the time, many saw Alaska as cold, empty, and useless. But just a few decades later, gold was found. Then oil.
Today, Alaska has oil reserves, natural gas, and rare minerals. It’s one of the richest states in the U.S., with a high standard of living.
Meanwhile, across the Bering Strait, Russia’s Chukotka region remains poor.
What if Russia had kept Alaska? It might have had a stronger military presence in the Pacific.
It could have benefited from the wealth of natural resources. The Cold War might have played out differently.
Russia’s decision to sell Alaska changed history. Some in Moscow may still regret it.
And maybe that regret fuels today’s desire to hold on tighter to land they claim as their own.