Purchase of Alaska

A detailed Summary of Purchase of Alaska

Manifest destiny spread through the country like a wild fire. William Seward stood on the banks of the Mississippi-September 18, 1860-and told of a dream he himself would fulfil seven years later: Standing here and looking far off into the northwest, I see the Russian as he busily occupies himself in establishing seaports and towns and fortifications, on the verge of this continent, as the outposts of St. Peterburg, and I can say, "Go on, and build up your outposts all along the coast up even to the Arctic Ocean-they will yet become the outposts of my own country-monuments of my own civilization of the United States in the northwest. 1

Within a decade, Seward would sign a treaty, that gave the United States the second largest land deal in history. A territory twice the size of France would be handed to America for an unbelievable two cents an acre.2 Ironically Seward went through hell to obtain what is know known as the land with black gold, but to the citizens of his time Alaska was known as "Seward's Folly" an area described as frozen empty tundra. After enduring a hectic and chaotic meeting of negotiations, Seward agreed at 4 A.M. on March 30, 1867 to the rights to Alaska.3 A controversy a

Alaska was first discovered by Vitus Bering, a Danish captain serving in the Russian navy on October 9, 1741, and the next century of expansion turned to turmoil and unwanted relations with their western colony.5 In 1784, Grigory Ivanovich Shelikov established the first permanent Russian colony in America on Kodiak Island. Four years later the empress of Russian, Catherine I, granted Shelikov exclusive rights to open the Russian - American fur trading company.6 Shelikov appointed Aleksandr Baranov as agent in charge of fur-trading operations, together they managed to receive rights to all enterprises on the territory of Alaska.7 These rights included hunting, trading, or building, and even rights to claim new discoveries as their own.8 It didn't take long for Baranov to take full advantage of the situation. He successful managed the fur monopoly and later governed the whole territory. Baranov prospered as traders gathered at his table late at night, feasting on the best foods and drinking large amounts of alcohol. Anyone who did not wish participate in with the wild Baranov was eliminated as a member of his company. The operation went smoothly through the early 1800's, as the company traded with a variety of nation. But a problem arose. Major companies such as England's Hudson Bay company and American traders tried to go around the Russian - American company and trade with the natives for better value.9 By 1821 tensions were high, as Russia issued a proclamation banning foreign traders from Alaska.10 Failed treaties with America in 1824, and Britain in 1825 worsened their relationship. By 1834 Russian warships blocked the entrance to the Stikine River, where the Hudson Bay company wanted to establish an outpost.11 A year later Russia abandoned its treaty with the U.S. and banned all trade with Alaska.12 Trouble struck Russia as the Treaty of Paris ended the Crimean War in 1856 and left Russia with a huge national debt.13 For the first time ever Grand Duke Constantine brother to Czar Alexander II suggested to sell Alaska. On April 3, 1857, Constanine told the czar:

As America ended its civil war, the third option began to look like the best option for the Russian delegation. On April 14, 1865 John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln to death, but his associate Lewis Payne, sought out to kill Seward the secretary of state under Lincoln.16 The controversy behind the entire negotiation begins from here. That night Payne attacked Seward, stabbing him in the throat and face.17 Seward barely survived the attack and a long scar on his throat was a clear reminder of his escape from death, and the almost ending of the purchase of Alaska. In 1867 negotiations were an okay order under Alexander II, but his overwhelming pride forced him to caution Stoeckl to make it look like the United States was interested, and not as if might Russia was selling off its properties. The aging 66 year old Secretary of State William Seward went to work with Russian minister Edouard de Stoeckl. Both men were accomplished politicians of there time, we

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Approximate Word count = 2062
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History