History of Alaska and the Deal with America

Geography of the United States

• A total of 50 states
• Alaska, the 50th state, is located above Canada

History of Alaska

Early Period (1581)

• Russian Empire captured the territory of the Khanate of Sibir in Siberia
• Russia decided to expand eastward

Russian Expeditions 1725-1733

• First Expedition (Kamchatka Expedition)
  • Commander: Vitus Bering
  • Determined the contact with North America
• Second Expedition (Great Northern Expedition)
  • Discovery of new islands and Alaska
  • Identification of animals for trade

Arrival of Russians and Conflict with Native Alaskans

• Presence and conflict with Native Alaskans
• Russians had modern weapons, natives had wooden weapons
• Russians oppressed natives and forced them to hunt

Russia's Problems (1850s)

• Economic problems after the Crimean War
• Distance of Alaska and limited resources

Sale of Alaska

Russia's Decision

• Had to sell Alaska fearing conflict with Britain
• Did not want to sell to Canada due to British influence

America's Interest

• America's expansion on the western coast
• In 1850, America accepted the offer to buy Alaska

Conclusion of the Deal

• Sale of Alaska for 7.2 million dollars in 1867
• Equivalent to 130 million dollars today
• Cost per acre: about 2 cents

Early Reactions

• Mixed reactions from the American public
• Criticism: "Seward's Icebox"

Gold Rush and Impact on Natives

• Population increase due to gold discovery in 1897
• Decline in the condition of natives

Federal Policies and Acts

• 1924: Indian Citizenship Act
• 1936: Indian Reorganization Act
• 1945: Anti-Discrimination Act

Statehood of Alaska

• Alaska officially became a state in 1959

Conclusion

• Alaska economically benefited America
• Russia sold Alaska due to security and economic reasons
• Currently, Alaska's significant economic contribution (53 billion dollars GDP)