The United States is famous for its 50 states, but the story of how these areas became part of the country is often forgotten. We know about the original 13 colonies, but the journey from 13 to 50 states includes some really interesting events, especially how Alaska became part of the U.S. after being sold by Russia.
Before Alaska was a U.S. state, it was a territory owned by the United States, and before that, it was controlled by Russia. The tale begins in the 17th century when a Russian explorer named Semyon Dezhnev tried to find out if Siberia was connected to North America. Although he didn’t report his findings, the quest for exploration continued. In the early 18th century, Tsar Peter the Great sent Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov on an expedition to explore the northwestern coast of North America. By July 1741, they found land, but Bering’s ship was wrecked, and he died before he could return to Russia with valuable sea otter pelts, which sparked interest in settling the Alaskan territory.
At first, Russian traders set up hunting and trading posts along the Aleutian Islands, which eventually grew into settlements. This expansion led to mixed interactions with the native Alaskans, often resulting in conflicts. Despite these challenges, the Russians continued to expand their claims in Alaska throughout the late 1700s.
As the 19th century began, the Russian-American Company was formed, giving Nikolay Petrovich Rezanov a monopoly on the fur trade. The company aimed to expand Russian colonial efforts, leading to the establishment of Fort Ross in California and Fort Elizabeth in Hawaii. However, by the mid-1800s, the settlements were small, and communication with Russia was difficult. The company faced poor management and declining profits, leading to reliance on trade with British and American merchants.
The Crimean War further strained Russian resources, making it harder to maintain the Alaskan territory. With concerns about British intentions and realizing that Alaska was tough to defend, Tsar Alexander II thought about selling the land to the United States. The idea was that American control could counter British influence in the region.
In the 1850s, the Russian government approached the U.S. with an offer to sell Alaska, but the American Civil War delayed serious talks. After the war ended in 1865, Secretary of State Seward began discussions with the Russians. After negotiations, both sides agreed on a price of $7.2 million for the territory. The treaty was signed on March 30, 1867, and Alaska officially became part of the United States.
Initially, both Russian and American media were skeptical about the sale. Russian newspapers criticized the decision to sell a valuable colony, while Americans dismissed Alaska as an “icebox.” Over time, however, the discovery of gold and other resources transformed Alaska into a valuable asset for the U.S. Today, Alaska’s economy thrives, with significant contributions from oil and natural resources.
In summary, Russia’s decision to sell Alaska was driven by financial concerns and the challenges of maintaining a distant territory. The sale ultimately benefited the United States, allowing for expansion and resource acquisition while alleviating Russia’s financial burdens and strategic vulnerabilities.
Use a world map to trace the journey of Russian explorers like Semyon Dezhnev, Vitus Bering, and Alexei Chirikov. Mark the routes they took and the areas they explored. Discuss with your classmates how these explorations contributed to Russia’s interest in Alaska.
Engage in a role-playing debate where you represent different stakeholders from the 19th century, such as Russian traders, native Alaskans, and American politicians. Discuss the pros and cons of Russia selling Alaska to the United States. Consider the perspectives and motivations of each group.
Participate in a simulation of the fur trade during the Russian-American Company’s era. Create a mock trading post and exchange goods like sea otter pelts, food, and tools. Learn about the economic impact of the fur trade on Russian settlements and native communities in Alaska.
Create a timeline that outlines the key events leading to the sale of Alaska. Include important dates such as the expeditions of Bering and Chirikov, the establishment of the Russian-American Company, and the signing of the treaty in 1867. Present your timeline to the class and discuss the significance of each event.
Research and present on the natural resources discovered in Alaska after it became a U.S. territory. Focus on how these resources, such as gold and oil, transformed Alaska’s economy. Share your findings with the class and discuss how these discoveries changed public perception of Alaska.
The United States of America is known for its 50 states, but the history of how these territories became part of the country is often overlooked. While we recognize the original 13 colonies, the transition from 13 to 50 involves some fascinating events, particularly regarding Alaska’s acquisition from Russia.
Before Alaska became a state, it was a U.S. territory, and prior to that, it was under Russian control. The Russians sold this vast territory to the United States. The story begins in the 17th century when Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnev sought to determine if Siberia was connected to North America. Although his findings were not reported to the Russian government, the quest for knowledge continued. In the early 18th century, Tsar Peter the Great sent another expedition led by Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov to explore the northwestern coast of North America. By mid-July 1741, they discovered land, but Bering’s ship was wrecked, and he died before returning to Russia with valuable sea otter pelts, which sparked interest in settling the Alaskan territory.
Initially, Russian traders established hunting and trading posts along the Aleutian Islands, which eventually evolved into settlements. This colonial expansion led to mixed treatment of the native Alaskans and often resulted in conflict. Despite these challenges, the Russians continued to expand their claims in Alaska throughout the late 1700s.
As the 19th century approached, the Russian-American Company was formed, granting Nikolay Petrovich Rezanov a monopoly on fur trade. The company’s goal was to expand Russian colonial efforts, leading to the establishment of Fort Ross in California and Fort Elizabeth in Hawaii. However, by the mid-1800s, the settlements were small, and communication with the Russian capital was difficult. The company faced mismanagement and declining profits, leading to reliance on trade with British and American merchants.
The Crimean War further strained Russian resources, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the Alaskan territory. With concerns about British intentions and the realization that Alaska was hard to defend, Tsar Alexander II considered selling the land to the United States. The idea was that American control could counter British influence in the region.
In the 1850s, the Russian government approached the U.S. with an offer to sell Alaska, but the American Civil War delayed serious negotiations. However, after the war ended in 1865, Secretary of State Seward engaged in discussions with the Russians. After negotiations, both sides agreed on a price of $7.2 million for the territory. The treaty was signed on March 30, 1867, and Alaska officially became part of the United States.
Initially, both Russian and American media were skeptical about the sale. Russian newspapers criticized the decision to sell a valuable colony, while Americans dismissed Alaska as an “icebox.” Over time, however, the discovery of gold and other resources transformed Alaska into a valuable asset for the U.S. Today, Alaska’s economy thrives, with significant contributions from oil and natural resources.
In summary, Russia’s decision to sell Alaska was driven by financial concerns and the challenges of maintaining a distant territory. The sale ultimately benefited the United States, allowing for expansion and resource acquisition while alleviating Russia’s financial burdens and strategic vulnerabilities.
Russia – A large country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, known for its vast land area and historical influence. – In the 19th century, Russia sold Alaska to the United States.
Alaska – A U.S. state located in the northwest extremity of North America, known for its natural beauty and resources. – Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million.
Exploration – The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it, often for discovery and mapping. – The exploration of the New World led to the discovery of many new lands and resources.
Territory – An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state. – The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States territory in 1803.
Settlers – People who move to a new area to establish a community, often in previously uninhabited or sparsely inhabited regions. – The settlers faced many challenges as they established their new homes in the American West.
Company – A business organization that is involved in trade or commerce, often playing a role in historical events. – The Hudson’s Bay Company was instrumental in the fur trade in North America.
Trade – The exchange of goods and services between people or countries. – Trade routes between Europe and Asia were vital for the exchange of spices and silk.
Resources – Natural materials or assets that can be used to produce goods and services. – The discovery of gold in California attracted thousands of people seeking to exploit the resources.
Sale – The exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something. – The sale of Alaska was negotiated by Secretary of State William Seward.
Conflicts – Serious disagreements or arguments, often resulting in prolonged disputes or wars. – Conflicts between European settlers and Native Americans were common during the colonization of North America.
