Almost 20 years after expressing his thoughts about expansion into the Arctic, Seward accomplished his goal. In Alaska, the Americans foresaw a potential for gold, fur and fisheries, as well as more trade with China and Japan. The Americans worried that England might try to establish a presence in the territory, and the acquisition of Alaska — it was believed — would help the U.
Just in terms of wealth, the U. Hundreds of billions of dollars in whale oil, fur, copper, gold, timber, fish, platinum, zinc, lead and petroleum have been produced in Alaska over the years — allowing the state to do without a sales or income tax and give every resident an annual stipend.
Alaska still likely has billions of barrels of oil reserves. There were 17, alone on the Aleutian Islands. Despite the relatively small number of Russians who at any one time lived at one of their settlements — mostly on the Aleutians Islands, Kodiak, Kenai Peninsula and Sitka — they ruled over the native populations in their areas with an iron hand, taking children of the leaders as hostages, destroying kayaks and other hunting equipment to control the men and showing extreme force when necessary.
The Russians brought with them weaponry such as firearms, swords, cannons and gunpowder, which helped them secure a foothold in Alaska along the southern coast. They used firepower, spies and secured forts to maintain security, and selected Christianized local leaders to carry out their wishes. However, they also met resistance, such as from the Tlingits, who were capable warriors, ensuring their hold on territory was tenuous.
By the time of the cession, only 50, indigenous people were estimated to be left, as well as Russians and 1, Creoles descendants of Russian men and indigenous women. On the Aleutian Islands alone, the Russians enslaved or killed thousands of Aleuts. Their population plummeted to 1, in the first 50 years of Russian occupation due to a combination of warfare, disease and enslavement. When the Americans took over, the United States was still engaged in its Indian Wars , so they looked at Alaska and its indigenous inhabitants as potential adversaries.
The American and Russian soldiers lined up next to the flagpole, from which the Russian flag started its descent to the accompaniment of a canon salute. However, the flag got tangled at the top of the pole. The sailor who climbed up for it threw it down, and it accidentally landed on Russian bayonets. It was a bad omen! Afterward, the Americans started requisitioning the buildings of the town, which was renamed Sitka. Several hundred Russians who decided not to take American citizenship had to evacuate on merchant ships, and they did not reach home until the following year.
Of course it was insulting. This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more. Why did Russia sell Alaska to the United States?
Apr 21 Georgy Manaev. In , Russia sold the territory of Alaska to the U. A mere 50 years later, the Americans had earned that amount back times over.
How could the imperial officials have given up such a choice parcel? Their population plummeted to 1, in the first 50 years of Russian occupation due to a combination of warfare, disease and enslavement. When the Americans took over, the United States was still engaged in its Indian Wars , so they looked at Alaska and its indigenous inhabitants as potential adversaries.
During that time, Alaska Natives had no rights as citizens and could not vote, own property or file for mining claims. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, in conjunction with missionary societies, in the s began a campaign to eradicate indigenous languages , religion, art, music, dance, ceremonies and lifestyles. Alaska finally became a state in , when President Dwight D Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act , allotting it million acres of the territory.
That came after a Land Claims Task Force that I chaired gave the state ideas about how to resolve the issue. As the United States celebrates the signing of the Treaty of Cession, we all — Alaskans, Natives and Americans of the lower 48 — should salute Secretary of State William H Seward, the man who eventually brought democracy and the rule of law to Alaska.
William L. This article first appeared on The Conversation. Share your perspective on this article with a post on ScrollStack, and send it to your followers. Contribute Now. Wikipedia CC BY. Petersburg, however, lacked the financial resources to support major settlements or a military presence along the Pacific coast of North America and permanent Russian settlers in Alaska never numbered more than four hundred.
Defeat in the Crimean War further reduced Russian interest in this region. The looming U. The Senate approved the treaty of purchase on April 9; President Andrew Johnson signed the treaty on May 28, and Alaska was formally transferred to the United States on October 18,
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