question about who sold Alaska is one of the most complex in the Russian history.Many simply do not know the answer, confused the names of the rulers, who, in their opinion, have claimed responsibility for a similar deal with the United States.The sale of land is documented.Therefore, to dispel any doubts quite simple - you just need to get acquainted with the sources.
How was it actually is: who sold Alaska
Alaska actually opened Russian sailors and Igor Fyodorov M.Gvozdev in 1732.According to official data of its discovery it refers to 1841 and belongs to the captain A.Chirikova.Sixty years of Russia the discovery of these lands are not interested.The territory it mastered only Russian merchants bought up furs from the local people.
In 1799, the situation has changed.Officially, the territory of Alaska was owned by Russia as a pioneer.However, the actual state in the lands still showed no interest.Only the Siberian merchants to profitably dispose of the natural wealth of open land, coal mining, hunting for fur seals in the US and delivering ice (while refrigeration systems have not yet been invented).
In the middle of the XIX century from faraway lands that have not delivered the leadership of Russia is no problem, do not require money to maintain, and therefore remain permanently outside the attention received unexpected news.In Alaska, found the gold deposit.
So why rich lands have been transferred to another State?Who sold Alaska and why?Who is responsible for making the decision, which seems unreasonable to many today?At the time of sale of land Emperor Alexander II was well aware that they are rich in native metals.The initiative to sell them to him directly did not come.
the first time about the possibility of selling the land spoke N. Muravyov-Amur - Governor-General of Eastern Siberia, who considered such a deal imminent.Four years later, he was supported by the Grand Duke Konstantin Romanov.He felt that learning about gold deposits, England will certainly attempt to grab land (Russia did not have the strength to defend in these parts), and then the Empire will lose any benefits.In addition, the government realized that the revenue from these lands in the future, may not cover the costs of its conservation and protection.This was particularly profitable, if we take into account the remoteness of lands from the main territory of the Russian Empire.
While Russia has developed very friendly relations with the US, especially after she refused to support the West in his quest to regain control of the US territory.
Russian Emperor Alexander II received the decision on which the sale of Alaska USA was a foregone conclusion.Negotiations, commissioned by the Edward A. glass.He wisely intrigued, wanting to achieve the creation of a favorable climate for the transaction (the US government initially the idea of ​​acquisition met with little enthusiasm).
question about sale was postponed several times due to various events (waiting for the expiration of the privileges of the Russian-American Company, then the end of the American Civil War).
But March 30, 1867 an agreement was signed by both parties.Russian Empire declined by about half a million square kilometers, and its treasury is replenished with $ 7.2 million.Officially, the land in the possession of the United States were transferred to 18 October 1867.
correctly entered the one who sold Alaska?Many Russian historians consider this deal a big mistake to Russia.But we can not in the analysis of this issue discounted existed at the time of the sale of the situation in the Russian Empire.At the time this transaction was fully justified from the point of view of the all-Russian economy and politics.
So who sold Alaska to America?Of course, such a man is the Emperor Alexander II, who, although he was not the initiator of the transaction, but has called it a crucial signature.
