Why is Alaska part of the United States? (Explained)
Alaska is one of the 50 states that make up the United States, known worldwide. Most people are unaware of how a piece of territory that was once connected to Canada joined the United States.
The treaty transferring control of Russian America to the United States was signed early on March 30, 1867, between Russian Minister Edouard de Stoeckl and Secretary of State William Seward of the United States.
Although many individuals are familiar with the general plot of this narrative, very few are aware of the sale’s global implications.
We’ll give a quick overview of the region’s history and discuss why Alaska is a state.
Why is Alaska Part of the United States?
An important step in the United States rise to become a great power in the Asia-Pacific area was taken with the acquisition of Alaska in 1867, which put an end to Russian aspirations to establish trade and colonies along North America’s Pacific coast.
Russia had a significant interest in this area, which was rich in natural resources and poorly populated, starting in 1725 when Russian Czar Peter the Great sent Vitus Bering to explore the Alaskan coast.
However, St. Petersburg lacked the financial means to maintain substantial settlements or a military presence along North America’s Pacific coast, and the number of permanent Russian inhabitants in Alaska was never more than 400. Russian interest in this area was further diminished by their defeat in the Crimean War.
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When Did Alaska Become a State?
In 1859, Russia made the United States an offer to buy Alaska in the hopes that the latter would counter Great Britain’s plans to become its main Pacific adversary.
The transaction was postponed due to the impending American Civil War, but Secretary of State William Seward immediately accepted a fresh Russian offer and on March 30, 1867, agreed to a Russian Minister in Washington’s plan to buy Alaska for $7.2 million.
Alaska officially became a part of the United States on October 18, 1867, after the treaty of purchase was ratified by the Senate on April 9 and signed by President Andrew Johnson on May 28. This acquisition assured U.S. access to the Pacific northern rim while ending Russia’s presence in North America.
Following its purchase, the United States paid little attention to Alaska for thirty years while it was under military, naval, or Treasury control, or occasionally under no control at all. In order to enforce American mining regulations, the United States established a civil government in 1884.
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Alaska and Russia are only 50 miles apart at their closest locations. Alaskans celebrate Seward’s Day every year to remember when they bought the area from Russia.
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Originally published at https://currentschoolnews.com on November 4, 2022.
