From Russian Colony to Summit Location: The History of Alaska
Once upon a time, Alaska was a Russian colony. In the 1850s, Russia found itself in a significant amount of debt following a lost war in Crimea. Looking for a way to alleviate this financial burden, Russia made a real estate transaction with the U.S., selling Alaska.
Fast forward to today, the top leaders of the U.S. and Russia are choosing to meet in Alaska to deliberate over a complex and expensive war involving Crimea, which happens to be one of the regions Russia has claimed in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Why Alaska?
The choice to hold the meeting in Alaska is mostly practical. It's the point where the U.S. and Russia are closest to each other, separated only by the 55 miles of the Bering Strait. But there's also a symbolic reason rooted in shared history. Alaska was under Russian control from 1799 to 1867.
Alaska was more than just a piece of land that Russia claimed. They had a strong presence in the territory and even established an outpost in northern California, known today as Sonoma County.
The Sale of Alaska
Russia's decision to sell Alaska was driven by financial necessity. The country was in debt from the Crimean War of 1853-56, in which they were defeated by Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire. In addition, Russian hunters had depleted Alaska's wildlife, making it economically nonviable for them to stay.
Alaska was seen as more of a liability than an asset due to its remoteness. Following brief negotiations in 1867, the U.S. agreed to pay $7.2 million for Alaska, which worked out to 2 cents per acre. Although critics called Alaska a desolate frozen wasteland, the purchase did not attract much attention in the U.S. and it was never a major political issue.
Alaska's Early Years as a U.S. Territory
After the purchase, Alaska and its indigenous people were mostly neglected. The U.S. government invested little in the territory and the few Americans who ventured there were mostly missionaries or adventurers who were largely on their own. It wasn't until decades later that Alaska started to develop, with the discovery of gold in 1896 and large oil reserves in the 1950s and 60s. Alaska officially became a state in 1959.
Interestingly, there are some Russians today who believe that Alaska should still be theirs. They question whether the U.S. legitimately purchased Alaska, with some even suggesting that it was a lease and should have been returned.
The Connection to Crimea
Unlike Alaska, which changed hands peacefully, Crimea has often been a source of conflict due to its strategic location. In the 1850s, Russia sought to gain full control of Crimea, leading to a war with the Ottoman Empire. However, they did not anticipate the involvement of Western powers and ended up suffering a humiliating defeat.
Fast forward to the 21st century, Crimea was part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, after which it became part of Ukraine. However, in 2014, Russian troops invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea without major conflict. Ukraine still demands Crimea back and continues to carry out air strikes against Russian forces there. Crimea is likely to be a significant topic in the upcoming summit between the U.S. and Russia.