sales history of Alaska are still many consider one of the most mysterious Russian transactions.Some believe that this land has sold the Empress Catherine II.Others do believe that it is not sold Alaska United States and has been given by the Decree of the regal rent for ninety-nine years.The term has expired, but the Russian land and did not return.As if in the time of the Soviet Union General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev did not want to take it back.
But if you remember what year sold Alaska to America, it is clear that Catherine this is irrelevant.Rules of Russia in this period the Emperor Alexander II.And that, he played in the history of the crucial role that someone ascribes to other rulers.It accused the Russian Tsar that he almost gave a huge territory.But how well things were actually formed as a kind of territorial Triangle Alaska-Russia-US, the official history there is only one version, specific details of which are still unknown to many.
Geography
even schoolchildren know that the Peninsula - cold and harsh land, where there is arctic and subarctic climate zones.Harsh winters with knocks winds and snowy blizzards in this region - the norm.This is not surprising: it is enough just to imagine where is Alaska.The exception is only a small part of the Pacific coast, where the climate is mild and quite suitable for human life.Includes Alaska mainland of North America to the border with Canada.In addition, it includes the Aleutians, fox, Trinity and the islands of the Alexander Archipelago.Also this peninsula narrow strip of land stretched along the Pacific coast, is connected to the Strait Dixon Entrance.It is here, and is one of the most original capitals in the world - Juneau.
Alaska - Russian
US called this region not only as "Russian America."In the second half of the eighteenth century fur traders began to show more interest in Alaska.Already in the early sixties, here on the island of Unalaska, Russian founded a settlement and, of course, the port through which was produced to trade fur.In 1784 th merchant and explorer Gregory Shelikhov own funds organized an expedition to the region, during which the island of Kodiak build a settlement.
At the end of the century, European explorers came here, who even attempted to declare Spanish sovereignty over certain areas of Alaska.However, no results are not achieved.And today about them in these parts resemble only a few non-native place name, such as the port of Valdez.
same Shelikhov few years later initiated the organization of commercial companies for the development of Alaska, the creation of which was assumed by the type of the British East India.It was established in 1799 and its first head of the newly became Alexander Andreyevich Baranov, who since the late eighties represented the Russian industrialists in America.It was he who founded several settlements in Alaska, including a modern Sitka, which was then called the city of Archangel.
company's activities as a whole had a dual character.On the one hand, she was engaged in predatory fishing fur, but at the same time contributed to the development in some areas of arable farming and animal husbandry.Since the beginning of eight hundred this activity difficult struggle against the American and British businessmen who armed the local Aboriginal people to fight against the Russian.
In 1824, Russia signed a series of agreements with the governments of the US and Britain.These documents at the state level defines the boundaries of the Russian possessions in North America.Until that time, when Alaska became American, it was less than four and a half decades.
difficult situation
In 1861, the year in Russia, as we know, the abolition of serfdom.To compensate their landlords, as well as pay for the costs of the company, the Emperor Alexander II in 1862 was forced to borrow from the m-Rothschild at five per cent per annum fifteen million pounds.However, the financial magnates soon had something to return, and the royal treasury was empty.
very first with the initiative, the proposed sale, but rather joining Alaska to America, spoke N. Muravyov-Amur - Governor-General of Eastern Siberia.It happened in 1853, the year.According to him, the deal was simply inevitable.But then to him no one listened.But after four years, the Grand Duke Constantine - the younger brother of the Emperor - Alexander offered "anything unnecessary" to sell.The most useless thing turned north uncharted lands that Russian, in fact, not mastered.
The fact of alienation, as the history of Russian sale of Alaska today perceived by many in his own way.But those days were more reasons than the obvious: this vast territory has never brought Russian special revenues, and sea otters, sea lions and other owners of valuable furs, which at that time were in demand on the world market, for the most part already killed industrialists.Generally, the colony largely survives only because of the large supply of ice in the city of California.Keep this icy territory of military garrisons and officials are working to develop the enormous land, it did not matter what.Russia, most recently survived the Crimean War, was experiencing financial difficulties after the defeat.
Background
course, that the history of the transfer of Alaska America has its forerunner, moreover, such a step pursued certain goals and had a good reason.It is known that in the early nineteenth century, this land has brought significant revenues due to the fur trade, but by the sixties of the same century it became clear that costs will continue to be significantly greater than the potential profits will be.We'll have to constantly be spent not only on the banal content of this site, but also to protect it, and if you remember, where the Alaska on the map, you can imagine what a lot of money in all this would cost the bankrupt Russian Empire.
Background
official history of Russian sale of Alaska says that the proposal of the deal came from the well-known Russian diplomat Eduard Stoeckl.But negotiations began precisely at the time when the UK has become to present their claims to the territory.
And that was another reason why Russia has been very beneficial to get rid of its northern lands.
question of what year sold Alaska to America, Russian, today is a lot of controversy.Some call the year 1866 the first, others - 1867-th.I must say that both these dates correspond to reality.
secret negotiations
sixteenth day of December 1866, in an overcast gloomy winter day Emperor Alexander II called a meeting.It was attended by his brother, Prince Constantine, the Ministers of Maritime and financial departments, as well as Baron Eduard Stoeckl - Russia's ambassador to Washington.I must say that the idea of selling parties was approved and supported.In fact, from that moment it began the accession of Alaska to the United States.Initially waiting expiration privileges Russian-American Company, then - the American Civil War.Nevertheless, the eighteenth in March 1867, the year US President Johnson, after long hesitation finally signed a decree on the transfer of special powers William Seward.At the suggestion of the Minister of Finance has been established and the minimum threshold price of Alaska: five million rubles.A week later, the Russian emperor, establishing the boundaries of the state, sent glass in America on an official appeal to the Secretary of State Seward.After that just immediately started negotiations take place, during which failed to agree on a contract for the purchase of Alaska from the Russian state for seven million dollars.
United States and tsarist Russia
the beginning of the process of selling Russia's relations with the United States reached a climax.Even during the Crimean War, the US has repeatedly stressed that if the border conflict expanded, they will not take an anti-Russian position.The intent for the sale of Alaska was held in deep secrecy.Surprisingly, when the then already a sufficient level of foreign intelligence information to third countries is not leaked.The London "Times" wrote very worried about the mysterious mutual sympathy, rising between the US and Russia.Especially since the money paid for these northern lands, paid off in the short term, but the strategic gains from the transaction and can not speak, you just imagine where Alaska is located on the map.
Dissatisfaction Britain was justified: the contract year 1867, not only did these two countries immediate neighbors, but also made it possible for Americans from all sides surround the British possessions in the north.It added fuel to the fire and saying Uelbridzha American general at a dinner party in honor of the Russian delegation.The meaning of it is this: in the world there are two major hemispheres, Eastern and Western, and one must embody the United States, and the second - Russia.Naturally, it was only a subtle diplomatic game of words, but the fact remains that Russian seriously supported the Americans in their elevation.
immediate transfer
signing of the agreement was the thirtieth of March 1867, the year in Washington.He was drafted in French and English, which at that time was the language of diplomacy.Interestingly, no official text in Russian does not exist.Under the terms of the agreement, to the US passed the Alaska Peninsula completely, as well as its coastal strip width of ten miles to the south.
US Senate, though he doubted the wisdom of such a purchase, but the majority of its members supported the deal.
Eighteenth October 1867, the year Alaska has officially been handed over to the Americans.On the Russian side under the protocol on the transfer of the territory signed AA Peshchurov - a special government commissioner, the captain of the second rank.Interestingly, but this day was introduced, and the Gregorian calendar.So Alaskans wake of the eighteenth of October and went to bed while the fifth of October.So if the question of what year sold Alaska to America, the answer is clear, it is the day of signing of the contract can not be said.
Mystic
Eighteenth October 1867, the year at half past three in the afternoon took place a change of flag on the flagpole located in front of the house of the governor of Alaska.Russian and American troops lined up in a row, and the signal for one non-commissioned officer from each side began to lower a little flag raised in the days of Russian-American campaign.The ceremony took place in an atmosphere of great solemnity, though, until the flag is tangled at the top in the ropes, did not cause breakage painter.
By order of a few sailors rushed to climb up, to try to unravel the fabric, the rest of the banner that hung in tatters on the mast.But no one realized shout bottom sailor, first dolezshemu before him, so he did not give up the banner down, and tears would be with him.And when he dropped the top, the flag was on the Russian bayonets.Mystics this incident seemed to be a sign, but at the time no one occurred to ponder over it.In general, the history of the transfer of Alaska America shrouded by thousands of myths, but many of them do not correspond to reality.
glass and its mission
significant role in the sale of Alaska play a diplomat glass.From 1850 he was the charge d'affaires of the Russian Embassy in the US, and since 1854, the year he was appointed the Russian envoy.Stoeckl wife was American, so it was quite integrated into the highest circles of American society.Such extensive contacts helped him, they contributed to the implementation of the deal.Russian diplomat actively lobby for the interests of the Russian emperor.In order to persuade the Senate to the decision to purchase Alaska Stoeckl gave bribes, using his connections.Alexander II appointed him a reward in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars, as well as a lifetime pension of six thousand rubles.
Edward A. immediately after the sale Alaska briefly came to St. Petersburg, but soon left for Paris.Until the end of his life he avoided the diplomat of the Russian society, however, it it too.After the incident with Alaska preserved behind glass notoriety.And these were his reasons.
Where is the money?
seven million thirty-five thousand dollars - that is how much is left of the originally agreed 7.2 million. Eduard Stoeckl received a check, leave yourself a reward, nearly one hundred and fifty thousand distributed as bribes to senators who voted for ratification, and the rest of the money transferred to a bank transferLondon, from St. Petersburg by sea went bought the entire amount of gold bullion.Some of the payment was lost, and when converted to pounds and gold.But it was not the last loss of Russia.
main historical question is not whether, in any year sold Alaska to America, and that what happened to the proceeds from the transaction money.
Bark Orkney, carrying the long-awaited for the Russian state of Georgia, in July 1868, the sixteenth year sunk already on the way to St. Petersburg.It is still unknown whether it gold, or it does not leave the Albion.Moreover, the insurance company declared itself bankrupt full and therefore damage Russian reimbursed only partially.The duty to pay the Rothschilds failed, but a huge piece of land Tsarist Russia nevertheless lost.
Errors and speculation
Russian sale of Alaska history still gives rise to all sorts of opinions and speculations.Since the negotiations were conducted in the strictest secrecy, the signing of the contract long concealed.And only a year later in "Diplomatic Yearbook" was published in the French Convention.This secrecy and has generated speculation in the first place that passed the United States in Alaska lease for ninety-nine years, and after this time it will once again be returned to Russia.Such erroneous version has become so ingrained that when the time limit has expired, in the middle of the last century began to sound requirements to transfer it back.But, unfortunately, it was just a delusion.Alaska is not rented out, and was sold in perpetuity.
Facts
Interestingly, the United States over the past two centuries actively increased its territory.Few know that in 1803 America from France for fifteen million dollars bought Louisiana, and later for the sum of three times less than it was at the same Spain successfully acquired Florida.Already ten years later, in the 1818th year, during the process of "succession" to the United States from Mexico moved a large part of the territory.
No less remarkable, and what the next state of Alaska officially became only in 1959 and not in 1867, when it was sold.
