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Author : Yu. Bulatov
Dean, Faculty of International Relations, Moscow State Institute (University) of International Relations,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Professor, Doctor of Science (History)
ON MARCH 30, 1867, the Russian Empire signed the Treaty concerning
the Cession of the Russian Possessions in North America by His Majesty
the Emperor of all the Russias to the United States of America. Today,
there is no agreement in Russia about the reasons behind the decision of
the czarist government to sell this part of the Russian territory to the
United States.
The Alaska deal is a unique and unprecedented event in the history of
Russia.
There was no military confrontation between Russia and the United States
and no hostile intentions; there were no military cataclysms in Russia
which could have explained the unexplainable decision. It was a gift which
did not harmonize with Russia's political interests and was, therefore, unmotivated and unexplainable.
Today, this interest is still very much alive. During the April 2014 Q&A conference broadcasted by all
federal radio and TV channels, somebody asked Putin about the future of Russian America in the
twenty-first century, the question suggested by the reunification of Crimea with Russia. The president
answered the hotheads: "Why would you need Alaska .... Let's not get hot-headed."
One thing is clear: emotions should be excluded from any conclusions related to the transfer of Russian
America to the United States; discussions should be based on historical facts which are not easy to dis-
cover. The basic documents related to the sale of Alaska have not yet been found in Russia.
A far-sighted politician, Prince Gorchakov knew that sooner or later his role in the Alaska deal would
become known to the public and was doing everything in his power to limit the scope of a possible
damage to his career inflicted by what he described as "compulsory Americanism." He revealed no
mean skills in limiting information about his involvement in the Alaska deal yet never hesitated to bran-
dish his Americanism when he saw it fit.
We can surmise that there was not enough money in the Treasury, let alone the huge sum of $7.2
million. The Civil War of 1861-1865 had just ended leaving behind ruined economy, devastated countr,y
and impoverished population, the very visible signs of the sad state of affairs in the United States.
The facts of history cannot be refuted. There was no money in the state coffers yet Alaska was pur-
chased from Russia. Who was rich enough to pay an exorbitant sum for the new possessions?
Russia lost rich sources of raw materials, which means lost profit. This profit could have been otherwise
earned at gold and oil land and offshore fields, sea fisheries, etc.
The years which have elapsed since March 30, 1867 have shown that when dealing with Russia the
United States has been never seeking good-neighborly relations but at all times remained a partner-
rival. The lesson of the past was ignored.
"Where the Russian Flag Has Been Raised, It Must Never Be
Lowered": Who Sold Russian America and Why