The Historic Deal that Shaped the Fate of Alaska

Strategic Insights -

In a poignant historical irony, the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place in a former Russian colony that the United States purchased for a mere $7.2 million in 1867. The landgrab, which has been shrouded in controversy and intrigue, marks the culmination of a series of events that led to the sale of Alaska, a territory that would eventually become a crucial hub for Russia's fur trade and a prized natural resource for the US. The deal, signed by Secretary of State William Henry Seward and Russian Minister Eduard Stoeckl, has left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the geopolitics of the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The purchase of Alaska was marked by a series of ironies, including the fact that Russia sold the territory partly due to concerns about British forces invading through North America.
  • The sale was motivated by Russia's desire to focus on imperial expansion in its Far East and concerns about the threat posed by the US expansionism.
  • The deal made sense for both sides, with trade between Russia and the US blossoming and both countries increasingly distrustful of Britain.
  • The treaty was signed in Seward's office at 4am after an all-night negotiating session and was later approved by Congress and Czar Alexander II.
  • Some critics in the US initially questioned the strategic value of adding a frozen territory, but the purchase turned out to have plenty of natural resources, including gold, timber, and petroleum.
  • Alaska became the 49th state in 1959, while some Russians have seller's remorse and calls to take back the territory have grown louder in recent years.

Statistics:

  • The purchase of Alaska cost $7.2 million, or less than two cents an acre.
  • The US government was late to pay Russia, sparking accusations of corruption and bribery.
  • Conservative estimates suggest that Alaska's natural resources are worth at least $1.1 trillion.
  • The Soviet era saw Alaska as an embarrassment, while Putin's rule has seen a renewed interest in reclaiming the territory.
  • In 2022, a poll showed that 51% of Russians believed Alaska should be returned to Russia.

Sources:

  • Pierce Bateman, a historian at the University of Alaska Anchorage
  • William L. Iggiagruk Hensley, a historian and former Democratic state senator in Alaska
  • Lee Farrow, the historian who wrote a 2016 book about the purchase of Alaska
  • Julia Davis, the founder of the Russian Media Monitor, a project that tracks Kremlin propaganda
  • A 2019 study by Michael A. Hill, a historian, which highlighted the positive reception of the purchase by most Americans
  • A 2022 poll showing that 51% of Russians believed Alaska should be returned to Russia.