Alaska area of its territory is three in France.It's not just the Klondike gold, but also tungsten, platinum, mercury, molybdenum, coal.And, most importantly, there is a development of huge oil deposits, reaching up to eighty-three million tons per year.This is twenty percent of the total oil USA.For comparison, Kuwait produces about sixty-five, and the United Arab Emirates - seventy million tons per year.
Many contemporaries mistakenly believe that Alaska sold to Catherine II.But it is not.Such an assertion is to some extent among young people became popular after the band's songs Lube "Do not fool around, America."It says that the Empress was wrong to do that to the area.For this reason young people do not understand the history and concluded that, who gave Alaska America.
Geographical location
Today, Alaska is the largest in area, forty-nine US states.It is the coldest area of the country.In the greater part of it is dominated by arctic and subarctic climates.Here the norm - the harsh winters, accompanied by strong winds and a snowstorm.The exception is only part of the Pacific coast, where the climatic conditions are moderate and it is suitable for habitation.
Before the sale of Alaska history (until its transfer to the United States) has been linked with the Russian Empire.Even in the eighteenth century, the region belonged to the Russian reign.It is not known how long history began in Alaska - the settlement of this cold and inhospitable land.However, the fact that in the most ancient times between Asia and North America there is a definite connection, there is no doubt.And it was carried out by the Bering Strait, which was covered with ice.People in those days easily crossed from one continent to another.The minimum width of the Bering Strait - only eighty-six kilometers.This distance is quite able to overcome dogsled any more or less experienced hunters.
When the ice age ended, the era of warming.The ice melted, and the coast of continents disappeared beyond the horizon.The more people who inhabited Asia, did not dare to swim across the icy surface of the unknown.Therefore, since the third millennium BC, Alaska began to develop the Indians.Their tribes in what is now California, moved to the north, adhering to the Pacific coast.Gradually the Indians reached the Aleutian Islands, where he settled.
Development of Russian Alaska
Meanwhile, the Russian Empire began to expand our eastern frontiers.In the meantime, the fleet of the European countries are constantly plied the oceans and seas, searching for space for new colonies, Russian mastered the Urals and Siberia, the Far East and the Far North land.A whole galaxy of strong and courageous people went to the courts is not in tropical waters, and severe ice toward the north.The best-known leaders of the expedition were Dezhnev and Fedot Popov, Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov.It was they who in 1732 opened up the land for the rest of the civilized world - long before, when Russia gave Alaska America.Specify the date considered to be official.
It is one thing to open, and the other - to equip a new earth.The very first Russian settlements in Alaska appeared only in the eighties of the eighteenth century.People engaged in hunting and commerce: the hunters caught fur-bearing animals, and the merchants bought them.Gradually this neobetovannaya earth began to turn into a source of profit, as a valuable fur in all ages, was equal to gold.
Loss edge
Initially these northern lands, very rich fur, Russian interests jealously guard.However, the years passed and the total destruction of the same foxes and otters, beavers and mink could not continue indefinitely.Production of fur has plummeted.Russian Klondike gradually began to lose its commercial value.The situation was aggravated by the fact that the vast land has so far been little exploited.This was the impetus, the first reason why Russia has given Alaska America.
Since the end of the thirties of the eighteenth century at the imperial court forms the beginning of the opinion that Alaska - it is a losing edge.Moreover, the king began to come to the conclusion that, except for a headache, this land can not bring anything.From that moment began the history of the sale of Alaska America.The industrialists were convinced that invest in these lands - complete madness, because they can not pay off.Russian people will not settle in this icy wilderness, especially since there are Siberia and the Altai, and the Far East, where the climate is much milder and the land fertile.
already difficult situation exacerbated the Crimean War, which began in 1853, which is pumped out of the public purse a lot of money.In addition, in 1855 died Nicholas I, who succeeded to the throne of Alexander II.On the new emperor looked with hope.People were expecting new reforms.But what reforms are carried out without any money?
Forever
When it comes to the one who gave Alaska America, for some reason, just remember the Empress Catherine II.Many believe if it was she who put his signature under the decree on the transfer of "Russian America" in Britain.Ostensibly first conversation was not about the sale and lease only for a century.They say even the story, fully confirming that Alaska has sold Catherine.As if empress, not knowing the Russian language well, it has commissioned a contract a trusted person.The same confused with spelling: instead, to write "Alaska passed a century," the man, absent-mindedly made a record "ever given," which meant forever.So the answer to the question: "Who gave Alaska America?"- "Catherine!"It is wrong.It should be yet more closely study the past of their country.
Alaska history
Catherine II, according to the official story, did nothing of the sort.When her the land rent did not give up, and certainly have not been sold.There are no prerequisites for this was not.The history of the sale of Alaska started only half a century later, in the time of Alexander II.It was this emperor rules at a time when they began to emerge numerous problems, which require immediate solution.
course, this emperor, who ascended the throne, did not immediately decided to sell the northern lands.It took ten years before the issue is ripe.Selling land to the state at all times was a very shameful thing.After all, this is evidence of the weakness of the country, its inability to maintain order in its territory under their jurisdiction.However, Russia's treasury is very needed funds.And when they do not - all the way good.
Purchase and sale
However, shout it to the world no one.The question of why Russia gave Alaska America, delicate and political, he demanded innovative solutions.In 1866 came to Washington a delegate from the Russian imperial court, which began to conduct secret negotiations for the sale of the northern lands.The Americans have shown complaisance, although the time for the transaction and for them was unsuccessful.After the US Civil War ended nearly unleashed between North and South.And because the state treasury was completely exhausted.
ten years after the time when Russia gave Alaska America, with customers could request five times more, but the Russian court, according to historians, pressed for lack of money.Therefore, all parties agreed on $ 7.2 million of gold equivalent.And although at the time it was a very decent money, in terms of the current components of the two hundred and fifty million dollars, but everyone who is interested in the question of who gave Alaska America, agrees that the northern territories were worth several orders of magnitude greater.
year later
After the agreement the representative of the imperial court returned to Russia.A year later the name of the person who gave Alaska America - the kingdom of Alexander II - was sent an urgent telegram signed by Andrew Johnson - President of the United States.It contained a business proposal: Russia loudly to the whole world, offered to sell Alaska.But prior to this telegram visit Russian representative in Washington did not recognize anybody.It turned out that it is America that has initiated the transaction, but not Russia.So cunningly were retained by both parties diplomatic and political conventions.In the eyes of the world Russia has managed not to drop their dignity.And in March 1867 it was carried out legal paperwork.And since that time, "Russian Alaska" has ceased to exist.She was given the status of the American colonies.Later, it was renamed the district, and in 1959, this northern land became the forty-ninth state of the USA.
In justification
today to learn who gave Alaska America, you can, of course, condemn and criticize the Russian Emperor Alexander II.However, if you look more closely acquainted with the political and financial situation in Russia in those early years, it is a definite pattern emerges, somewhat justifying his decision.
in 1861 was finally abolished serfdom.Thousands of landlords were left without their farmers, which meant that a considerable class lost their stable income source.Therefore, the state was to pay compensation to the nobles, who had to somehow cover their financial losses.But such costs for the Treasury tens of millions of imperial rubles.And then came the Crimean War, and again from the treasury of the money poured in.
difficult situation for Russia
to somehow reimburse expenses royal court held huge amounts abroad.Foreign governments have great pleasure to lend Russia, because that was untold natural riches.The empire has created a situation where every extra ruble became a joy, and especially one of which did not have to pay interest on promissory notes.
That is why ripe sale of Alaska.Catherine - the great Russian empress - in this question is not to blame.And blame it does not make sense, except that only the state came to a complete decline and its light hand.
difficulties in selling
Alaska - a far northern land, constantly fettered eternal ice.She did not bring Russia a single penny.And the world knew about it.And so the imperial court was very concerned with finding a buyer for this useless region icy cold.Closest to Alaska were the United States.They suggested that Russia and at your own risk deal.The US Congress, or rather, many senators did not immediately agree to such a dubious purchase.The question about it was put to a vote.As a result, more than half of the senators categorically voted against the acquisition: a proposal from the Russian government, did not cause any excitement among Americans.And the rest of the world to this transaction showed absolute indifference.
Consequences
And in the Russian sale of Alaska and does go unnoticed.Newspapers wrote about it on its last page.Some Russian and did not know that it exists.Although only later, when this cold northern land were found rich gold reserves, the whole world has become like talking excitedly about Alaska and the sale, ridiculing stupid and short-sighted Russian emperor.
in serious political and financial issues is unacceptable subjunctive.None of those who later became condemn Alexander II, had never suggested that Alaska may be such huge deposits of gold.But if a deal is not considered from the current position, and with the situation in 1867, many believe that the Russian Emperor acted absolutely correctly.And especially the sale of Alaska Catherine - just idle fantasy that has no baseless.
Conclusion
total lands of the former "Russian America" was produced one thousand tons of gold.Some in this fabulously rich, and some disappeared forever in the snowy wilderness.Today, Americans are very inert and uncertainly render habitable a surly edge.In Alaska, there are practically no roads.Until a few localities people get either by air or by water.Rail passes are only in five cities.Total in this state live six hundred thousand people.
