Why did Russia Colonize Alaska?

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Back in the 17th century, a Russian explorer by the name of Semyon Dezhnev attempted to discover whether Siberia was connected with or in close proximity to North America. There are conflicting theories of what happened during this expedition, but the Russian government heard nothing of his findings either way. Still hoping to answer the question Dezhnev set out to resolve though, in the early 18th century, Tsar Peter the Great opted to send out another expedition. This time, two men by the names of Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov, each set sail for a joint exploration to find the northwestern coast of the North American continent.
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♦Music by Epidemic Sound
♦Script & Research :
Skylar J. Gordon
#History #Documentary #alaska

[@Knowledgia]

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[@igorhenrique6362]

What is the music of 2:55?

[@vredacted3125]

_Something important to know, for all who interested in history and/or support Ukraine:_ _Rus' ought not to be confused with modern “Russia”, which derives its name from the Rus' but historically is a completely different state, which almost all its existence was at war with the Rus'._ _Just like the Holy Roman Empire was actually Germany, “Russia” is actually Muscovy, despite their best attempts to convince everybody otherwise._ _Its name “Russia" received only in the 18th century, when Peter I simply changed Muscovy’s name into the “All Russian Empire” (Russia originates from Rosia, name used by the Greek Orthodox Clergy in regards to Rus')_ _Under the reign of Cathrine II Muscovites where even punished for continuing to identify as Muscovites, and were forced to call themselves Russian._ _Lands that Russia (Muscovy) claims were part of the original Rus', but actually weren't, are Novgorod, Suzdal, and Ryazan, since in historical texts of XI-XII centuries they are mentioned as separate entities from Rus'. They can be considered parts of extended Rus', although their culture was distinct from main Rus'._ _In 1493, Muscovite duke Ivan III appointed himself to be the Great Ruler of All Rus'. No other kings acknowledged that. From that point on Muscovy started to make false claims on Rus' ownership._ _“Russia” is an offshoot of Ukraine and not the other way round, despite what Soviet and Russian (Muscovite) historians have been trying to say for years. A Slavicised Finnic, then later, Mongolized offshoot. Kyiv was a developed cultured capital when Moscow was just another swamp village._ _Germany used to call itself the Holy Roman Empire, that didn’t mean they became the Romans, and all of a sudden had a right to claim whole of Italy and its history, but yet, that’s exactly what Russia (Muscovy) did in regards to Rus'-Ukraine, which is a horrible injustice!_

[@arseliopereira2541]

The GDP of Alaska is 50 Billion Dollars not 50 Million Dollars. That's a big difference. You should fix that.

[@THOUGHTCRIME_No1]

This episode is largely untrue. You dismiss that only by 1775 Moscovite (area around Moscow) defeated Great Tartary, which was ruled by a separate Tsar-Khan. This huge country spread over the largest part of nowadays Russia, including Siberia and probably also occupied the North America to a great deal. The Romanov dynasty rulers of Moscovite, including Peter the Great didn’t have access to these regions. Also the Western Europeans only gained access to the Mid-West and North-Western parts of North America after 1775.

[@baygenetics5]

Ok

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Not only Alaska, there had been Russian settlements in Washington, Oregon and California down to the Russian River region. They withdraw from those when Seward bought Alaska for the US.

[@thomasrinschler6783]

There were no Russian settlements south of Alaska other than Ft Ross in California and Ft Elizabeth in Hawaii. The Russians happily claimed the areas between Alaska and California until treaties with the US and the UK in 1824/5, but they didn't have any actual settlements there. The Hudsons Bay Company (and thus the British) saw to that.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

@thomasrinschler6783 Thomas, there were app 50 - 60 farms run by Russians or hired Americans at Legget and the Russian River producing vegetables and meat for Alaska. F.e. Merrit Farms, formerly Ivanowitsch Estate. Those were no official Russian colonies, but I did not say they were. Fort Ross was the headquarters coordinating the shipments. Go to the local archives at Fort Ross or the state archive at Sacramento. There, you could find the documents of the HBC dealing with that issue.

[@Karmaisabeetch]

@@thomasrinschler6783this… the British controlled anything south of Alaska. Comments these days is just full of misinformation

[@RikPerez-dm7ib]

​@@steffenrosmus9177o

[@briggscamungol2533]

Excellent reply. Very clear without us guessing.

[@dragosstanciu9866]

It is amazing how daring were those who explored the vast and often perilous territories of Siberia, Africa and the Americas.

[@DreamersOfReality]

Daring? Were the literal millions upon millions of people who already lived on those continents also daring?

[@steveatlas3492]

@@DreamersOfReality Not true.

[@dragosstanciu9866]

@@DreamersOfReality Indeed.

[@terranceesprit42]

​@@steveatlas3492so they were just sitting there empty?! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@t47328]

Of course. They had also explored the perilous territories, and also moved on, destroyed the existing people.@@DreamersOfReality

[@nothingelse1520]

I grew up in Alaska, as a kid people would ask me really stupid questions like "Do you use American money?" or "Do you have a pet penguin or polar bear?"

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I bet that"s really annoying. 😔

[@nothingelse1520]

@@ChristopherSobieniak it was understandable before the Internet but not now lol

[@drpureinsanity]

Do you have a pet polar bear though?

[@edwhite7078]

Who asked you if you were in Alaska. If you were just a small kid in elementary school that's a big difference. Maybe visiting your mom on her days you heard these things I'm guessing.

[@nothingelse1520]

@@edwhite7078 no it was visiting the lower 48 on vacation, and it w was adults asking these questions

[@nathanielsemans]

Fun fact: Russia considered selling Alaska to Lichtenstein before selling it to America

[@igameidoresearchtoo6511]

sources? I am aware its probably a joke but spreading misinformation even in the form of a joke isn't funny and is not helpful atleast clarify that it's a joke

[@mityace]

@@igameidoresearchtoo6511 See above. If you want to argue this is false, please bring receipts.

[@nathanielsemans]

@@igameidoresearchtoo6511No, it’s real. Look it up.

[@igameidoresearchtoo6511]

Still, where is your source? also Liechtenstein wasn't a country back then, maybe a state/province but not a country on its own.

[@nathanielsemans]

@@igameidoresearchtoo6511 Yes actually, Lichtenstein has been a country since 1719 and Russia attempted to sell Alaska to them in 1867, gee, for someone who cares a lot about sources, you seem to have no idea what your talking about. I’m not going to write an essay for you so if you really care then just look it up yourself, thats what the internet is for.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Indeed, during the Crimean war, British warships based in Victoria, British Columbia did attack Russian settlements in Alaska.

[@dwh5512]

I find that to be a very dubious claim. I seriously doubt GB attacked American settlements, even though they were established by the Russians.

[@prestonlindbeck1197]

@@dwh5512Did you not even read what he had to say. British warships based out of Victoria, BC, did indeed attack Russian military targets in then-Russian Alaska during the Crimean War (1854-56). Not American because it wouldn’t become a US territory until 1867. Do some research, or at least read through the comments section, before you post something ignorant.

[@doubtingthomas9612]

The fact that we get free videos on KZbin by Knowledgia is truly a gift.., keeping the education and knowledge alive 👏👏👏

[@joeshar.]

In the early 1800s, Russia called current day Alaska Russia-America (Russkaya Amerika). The name "Alaska" is derived from the Aleut "alaxsxaq", meaning "the mainland". Thank God, American hasn't changed the name to something like New Siberia.

[@raphlvlogs271]

modern Russia is already huge in size but don't forget that it used to be much larger for a really long time

[@AdvancedGamer-]

Okay “really” long time is kind of a lie but it’s kind of not, I mean from 1770 yeah it was bigger than today Russia for sure, but 1730 defintly not

[@TheRoyalJester1]

​@@AdvancedGamer-в любом случае Россия удерживает огромные территории на протяжение более 500 лет,кто так еще мог в истории человечества ?)

[@MaxHardcoreSLOVAKIA]

@@TheRoyalJester1 да, Россия владеет огромными территориями, имеет богатейшие ресурсы в мире, и у них до сих пор много дорог из глины, а не из асфальта, и 30% населения России не имеют смывного туалета, так что в 2024 году 30% населения Россияне будут писать в яму, как и сто лет назад. что, если вместо размера территории Россия предпочтет повысить уровень жизни ее жителей?

[@TheRoyalJester1]

@@MaxHardcoreSLOVAKIA Ну так , а что плохого в том что много кто живёт в деревнях и не собирается перебираться в каменные джунгли ? В общем то я с тобой согласен насчёт уровня жизни , конечно хотелось бы чтобы он был намного выше , но если бы всё было так просто...в плане для лидеров это просто , а для народа этого добиться уж крайне тяжело....

[@Kindred6007]

Thank you for this informative video.

[@thevettegetsitwett]

Made sense at the time for everyone. Russia got to cut a colony that was costing them money that they feared they would eventually lose anyway and also turned that region into a 3 power region. So rather than the British potentially dominating the area the Americans owning Alaska would have a presence and America & the Britt’s fought two war previously in a short period. So Russia cut a place costing them money and put an adversary in check but little did they know it was full of natural resources and well worth an investment. The US gained room to continue growing and a potential strategic military position. The US clearly won this deal but back then it makes sense what both sides were thinking.

[@MrSupernova111]

Seems that Russia wasn't going to hold on to Alaska especially when it became known that the land was rich in natural resources. The discovery of natural resources would have only sparked a war for control of the territory.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Americans mocked it as "Seward Icebox".

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nicely informative video

[@btwuam5]

1:21 in the early 18th century, not 17th. Tsar Peter the Great ruled from 1682 to 1725

[@Imperium83]

Yeah this video is riddled with false facts. Big armchair historian/average redditor energy.

[@btwuam5]

@@Imperium83 for example? I have found only one major mistake though it's probably just slip of the tongue. And authors paid more attention on geopolitical aspects of the deal yet Russian government (specifically the finance minister Michael von Reutern) was generally in favour of selling Alaska because it was a strong budget deficit just in time for Emperor Alexander II reforms and any cash was crucial for fueling modernization of Russian economy during this post-Crimean war times.

[@eLQuiles88]

It says that Alaska's gross production is 50 million when it's actually 50 billion.

[@fatherofhistory]

I was really interested to learn about the history of Alaska in this video. I had no idea that Russia colonized Alaska for over 200 years! I also found it fascinating to learn about the reasons why Russia decided to sell Alaska to the United States. It seems like it was a strategic decision that ultimately benefited both countries.

[@bluesteel8376]

but not really in the long run. I am sure the USSR and current Russia would have preferred Alaska in Canada's hands instead of the US.

[@manzerm7805]

At that time Britain was a very powerful empire and Russia saw them as their rival. Had British Canada decided to attack Alaska it would have been extremely difficult for Russia to defend. So they sold it to the US which had no rivalry with Russia at that time.

[@CboyCboy-ov9ef]

One of their biggest regret up to this day. If Alaska still under Russia USA will not be ranting like they doing now because Russia will just take their bombs there by now

[@kenwalker687]

At the time, the major threat to Russia's continued control of Alaska was the British Empire.....

[@user-fi5nt5to9h]

Alaska was not bought by USA but robbed after the war by Russia with the British and French army. Americans helped Russia in this war !

[@talonyte9050]

This guy is the best narrator

[@CamoJan]

So you've not heard the narrator on Weird History channel?

[@robthomas3811]

Britain? Not very specific there chief, you wanna hear a scouser or a Glaswegian narrate something? You must be off your meds big rig

[@frankthompson6503]

Great video

[@revinhatol]

7:39 3 months later,... The British territories in North America federate into the country we know today as Canada.

[@kieferonline]

If Alaska were not sold to the US, then it almost certainly would have been relenquished to Japan after Russia's failure in the Russo-Japanese war. The US would have eventually taken Alaska from Japan after WWII, although it may not yet be a state.

[@michaelillingworth6433]

The main reason that Russia sold Alaska to America is because they believed that they would probably lose it to Britain, this being the case it wouldn't be Japanese. It would probably be part of Canada now if Russia hadn't sold it to the US.

[@AdvancedGamer-]

@@michaelillingworth6433yes because Russian civil war the White Russians either permanently stay in Alaska or the British annex Alaska which is more realistic aka Canada holds Alaska nowadays and is like way bigger than USA

[@PakBallandSami]

Siberia and Alaska are just the same place only separated by water

[@SteveInLava]

They are in different timezones (21 hours apart)

[@yannickbaroue]

​@@SteveInLavayou mean 45 hours apart? Or maybe 3 hours apart...

[@brandonlyon730]

@@SteveInLavaSo are multiple parts of Siberia and Russia. China is the only nation crazy enough to put everything in one timezone.

[@luudest]

0:05 lol it looks like as if Alaska has almost the same area as the rest of the US

[@boomcrash]

The mountains disagree

[@alphaomarbarry6511]

I want to visit Alaska

[@michaellynes3540]

Alaska was rich in gold and oil. The Russian Empire just threw away a money pit.

[@Olga-de3ru]

Мы действительно могли ее не удержать после неудачи в Крымской войне. Но: 1) Почему и как США завладели о.Еловый, о котором было отдельное соглашение о его оставлении за Россией (это вопрос к США); 2) И вопросы к России: почему вместо продажи не применили такой вариант, как аренда; и почему нельзя было продать только часть Аляски.

[@michaellynes3540]

@@Olga-de3ru Probably because Russia was to dumb to realize it.

[@stophate2023]

Hindsight 😂😂😂

[@AdvancedGamer-]

@@michaellynes3540are you dumb bro. Back then it was costing more money Also oil didn’t exist and gold wasn’t found yet lmao 😂 imagine if they kept it and than in 1917 the civil war oh No Britain annexes Alaska HAHAAH now Canada owns Alaska yay

[@user-bu4ut2li1m]

It's naive to think that one of the biggest Empires in history was run by people dumber than you

[@martindansky6202]

There wasn't a jump from the 23 colonies to a country of 50 states, for example there was the Louisiana purchase of the territory west of the 13 colonies by the early US from France and there were conflicts between the young US and Mexico where they gradually gained the territory north of what is Meyxico today...

[@kenwalker687]

The clip was about Alaska not the history of Manifest Destiny. KISS

[@KaitoKizumi]

It's crazy that after the United States purchases Alaska from Russia, they ended up deeply regretting it because Alaska is rich with Oil

[@JoseMiguel-fl5oi]

we watched the video buddy

[@bakihanma5849]

the great powers are all controlled by big businesses and they both knew what alaska was holding it was just time for a change of powers

[@JBMorris9]

@@JoseMiguel-fl5oi😂😂😂

[@theawesomeman9821]

don't forget gold and coal

[@edthebumblingfool]

and the dumbest when it comes to people, Russia has never won a war without western allies and only beaten civilains and very small nations since 1945. it took them 10 years to retake Chechnian and they have all but failed in Ukraine, The next treaty will see them leave Ukraine as well.@@dkfdhdsj6261

[@ahmadhashim9648]

Hey, can you make a video on Crimean War

[@goldeagle8051]

Low price because obviously Russia wanted to get rid of it and get a buffer against the British in Canada. Also, the remote region on another continent was undefendable in a war, especially with the technology at the time.

[@PackHunter117]

Do a video on Hawaii now.

[@jarvisfamily3837]

"Alaska is just Siberia with river running through it!" - some guy in St. Petersburg

[@user-zh5bj8rk7h]

Siberia actually has a lot of rivers, and their presence does not make the local climate warmer. -Guy from Siberia

[@jarvisfamily3837]

@@user-zh5bj8rk7h Rivers don't make Alaska warmer either. 😞

[@user-zh5bj8rk7h]

@@jarvisfamily3837 Why don't I live somewhere near the Mediterranean Sea? Somewhere where it’s summer all year round, and not like in my area, where there is snow for half the year, and in the summer, most often in June, the temperature is 30-35 degrees Celsius. I wasn't very lucky.

[@ChannelBerpindah]

01:00 18th century not 17th century.

[@USStateOfSiberiaGHWBush1992]

8:40 When it mentioned the discovery of Alaskan gold, and it said "...and the so-called 'icebox'..." I thought it was going to say it became a gold box. Or something else, like a safe or a vault.

[@MuddieRain]

Very cool

[@craigcolahan]

what is the origin of your accent? at 6:38 , the beginning of the quote, an unusual pronunciation of the word 'our'

[@josuelopez3145]

We need a video on the great game

[@ryandvernychuk7033]

As a Canuck I’m pissed 😂 I knew we had beef before hockey

[@d.r.1091]

Very interesting. I've always wondered why it wasn't a part Canada

[@geofferymaxmax]

Because screw the red coats 🧥

[@coolxg4357]

“Darn tootin’”

[@kenwalker687]

"If I can't say something nice, I should say nothing at all". Thumper (Oh, maybe you are not raised American)

[@romaman737]

Nice history

[@MCorpReview]

Selling Alaska would be unthinkable under 😂Stalin …or Putin for that matter

[@Matt-jc2ml]

Well they had nukes then

[@USStateOfSiberiaGHWBush1992]

For over a decade, I was aware of the tensions between USSR and the U.S. and the concern about the potential for war, what I didn't know until about a decade ago, was that each had a large military base on each of their own side of the Bering Strait and each had their weapons pointed at the other. 24/7, each side was waiting and ready for the other side to fire the first attack. Even worse, not only were we that close to a nuclear attack, but just one person from either side could have been stupid enough or could have lost patience, could have not waited any longer and or just for thrills, fire an attack. I knew there was the Cold War. But since there were no reports all over the news of any attacks, I just assumed that it was just tension between both sides, just like the current tensions between Russia and the U.S. not pointing weapons at each other side, clearly noticeable with binoculars, special computer cameras and spy satellites.

[@Gdb987]

That’s crazy to me how not even 400 years ago we barely discovered these parts of lands ofc after the natives been there for centuries but even they didn’t know there was parts across the ocean to be discovered or new but couldn’t travel like that

[@jiritichy7967]

Some leaders in the past lacked vision. Another example may be the loss of French North America to British in a battle involving 5 000 soldiers on the winning side. There are other examples.

[@timr.2257]

5:49 Oh the completely irony 😂😂😂

[@gjakovagjakova4904]

Once is sold is sold…

[@ObligedUniform]

It was a nice summer getaway?

[@user-yy9hk9od9u]

There were many native Alaskans and Eskimos that didn't get a dime for the sale.

[@kenwalker687]

I'm sure you are right but no Euro-Americans received a dime for the sale.

[@blakespower]

back then they just planted flags and said this is mine and if no one protested they kept it

[@goodmaro]

No mention of the Russian-American Telegraph Co.?

[@brucegordon9007]

The Natives here in the Copper River Basin were enslaved by Russian fur thieves but 3 times they revolted and killed some while others escaped.This is from oral tradition and documented in Russian entries.Many Natives have names derived from the Russian occupation.

[@user-jq8he1zr2l]

Would you know if there was a treaty between the Russians and the local natives? There would have to be in order for Russia to sell Alaska to the USA.R

[@themingwarrior6391]

Manifest Destiny! Wild East!

[@baystated]

Given the topics of the video being about Mainland USA, Alaska, Canada, and Russia, I'd have expected THIS channel to know to use a map that causes less distortion between mid- and northern latitudes.

[@stephenh2827]

9:13 it's 50 billion dollars, not million. Great video :)

[@jeremytate4795]

@knowledgia this. 50 Mil is a bit off.😊

[@Matt-jc2ml]

Imagine if they still held it during ussr. Even Ghenghis Khan would be jealous of its size.

[@alexone8338]

The central Russian authority already had enough troubles ruling over hundreds of peoples (many still within Russia today) in Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia and was still expanding into those territories, with many areas recently acquired at the time. They even wanted to expand to the Mediterranean, which, by the way, is much closer to Saint Petersburg and the bulk of the Russian population than Alaska.

[@thobamngadi5254]

Tell us about Berlin conference. Scramble for africa the great triangle slave trade

[@Rajaniaveerinder]

Dmitri go east How farr? Until you meet west

[@scottkramer1077]

50 Billion dollars. Not 50 Million.

[@charlesferdinand422]

Today, it's widely accepted that Bolivar was a bloodthirsty tyrant who had irrational delusions of becoming the emperor of the American continent; but he was so mediocre and incompetent he could never achieve much. And on top of all of that, he was incredibly corrupt and spent the second half of his life bought by the English who bribed him with tons of precious metals (specially gold and silver) so in turn Bolivar made a lot of nonsensical decisions which benefited the English only while hurting Latin America such as giving Guyana Esequiba away (now claimed by Venezuela) to the English for no apparent reason and receiving nothing in return. Finally, Bolivar had delusions of grandeur and only betrayed Spain (to which he had swore eternal loyalty) and started the South American wars of independence because he wanted the throne for himself (which is why he divided Peru in half just in order to be able to create a new country bearing his name, Bolivia) ; in fact, during a banquet (he organized himself in his honor) he proposed a toast to himself, saying "to the greatest man in America. ME".

[@kenwalker687]

This is interesting but really way off topic.

[@richarddecker9515]

Before New York State was New York State, it was New Netherlands, Connecticut, and New Jersey was also New Netherlands

[@jontaedouglas7244]

Besides Canada there would have been no other powers to consult in the artic

[@themingwarrior6391]

Imagine Russians discovering the Americas before Spain!

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

technically natives comes to Americas from Chukotka - modern Russian territory

[@kenwalker687]

I can not imagine Russia discovering the Americas before Spain or any other Western European power.

[@Yutube158]

Knowledge

[@gjakovagjakova4904]

The Russian sold Alaska”as “pierce of ice”.finished over…

[@dwh5512]

Best Deal Ever

[@craigbrown5359]

Most outstanding!!!

[@CARL_093]

for me its a bad call to sell Alaska bec they never realized Alaska had a lot of gold mines or gold russia realized this too late and the war is over

[@DarthDread-oh2ne]

I hate empress Elizabeth of Russia for what she did to Ivan the sixth.

[@kenwalker687]

?????

[@0ctalpus]

"when 13, became 50" poor choice of words 💀

[@terminallumbago6465]

Were there any hard feelings in Russia about selling Alaska after the gold and oil were discovered there?

[@Dobroslav_Belykh]

Абсолютно нет, у нас есть достаточно нефти. Единственное, что сегодня нас беспокоит так это то что вы лезете в Украину (часть автохтонных русских земель). Ребята занимайтесь своей страной у вас очень много наркоманов и бездомных, живите и развивайте свой материк и общество, не лезьте к нам и нашим соседям. Лучше взаимовыгодное сотрудничество и дружба, чем эскалация конфликта, которая может привести к ядерной войне.

[@Arms2]

@@Dobroslav_Belykh Ah yes, the classic Z sheep response… “They made me invade! It’s all their fault that we are trying to annex their territory!”

[@Olga-de3ru]

​@@Arms2Ибо это факт, американский осло-слон.

[@Arms2]

@@Olga-de3ru Is this your second account Dobroslav?

[@Olga-de3ru]

@@Arms2 Ещё бы знать, кто это такой.

[@dwh5512]

In school, I was taught it was initially characterized as "Sewards Folly" how wrong that was. Eh

[@leomierisch921]

1:24 The map is here wrong. Russia didn't own Königsberg (Kalinigrad) It was owned by the german state prussia.

[@SteaksOnSpear]

Vitus Jonassen Bering was Danish sailor working for Russia

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

Russian naval officer by Danish origin *

[@kenwalker687]

Great! We are not going to give Alaska to Denmark nor more than back to Putin.

[@vladb1441]

Answer: Why not?

[@benjaminrush4443]

First time I realized that the tensions over the Crimea War would create Alaska a US Territory. Could you imagine if Putin had his hands on Alaska today?

[@ellismarquez8410]

Imagine how the Cold War could have unfolded.

[@benjaminrush4443]

I can Imagine the Russians getting "Bogged Down" on the Canadian Prairies and occupying Eastern Alaska. Early 50's - Both sides would have thrown a couple of 'Eggs'. Fighting in the Rockies. @@ellismarquez8410

[@kenwalker687]

I have recently read that Putin claims that the sale of Alaska by the tsar was illegal and he wants Alaska back. I can imagine what the Alaskans and most Americans (non-MAGA) think about that..

[@gs637]

Is it true that the ship carrying the Alaska sale money to Russia sunk in the Bearing Sea? Remember reading about this a while ago.

[@thomasrinschler6783]

No, it was actually just a check, which is in the US National Archives: www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/check-for-the-purchase-of-alaska

[@fatherofhistory]

No, it is not true This is a popular myth that has been circulating for many years, but there is no evidence to support it. In fact, there are records showing that the money was safely delivered to Russia.

[@therisencomrade3452]

Yeah would be nice if someone unravel the mistery of a missing treasure.😂

[@chriswoolley6951]

Fur trade?

[@hulagu3068]

could the british canadians just have takin it from the russians in a war?

[@mcdonalsmcmenu2449]

thats one of the reasons why russia sold it in the first place

[@fatherofhistory]

Yes, in theory the British Canadians could have just taken Alaska from the Russians in a war. The British had a strong naval presence in the Pacific, and the Russians were relatively weak militarily at the time.

[@play_boy7543]

​@@fatherofhistoryRussia was one of the world major powers at the time...

[@play_boy7543]

In dreams yes,in reality no,brits ottomans,frenchs and sardianians cant conquer even crimea during war with russia,brits also attacked allaska during that war,but they where weak on the land

[@mlhardin1822]

Interesting description but you did not fully disclose why Russia needed to sell Alaska since due to a war, Russia was broke and needed funds badly. You basically glossed over it. A missed opportunity... Interesting though. Thank you.

[@smi2le4ever]

I bet Russia is kicking themselves for this everyday, I mean I know Russia already has a lot of oil but so does Alaska! I mean dear god they have made their money back what 1,000x already in Oil and Gold?

[@dannywalters2365]

Why was there no Canada involved??

[@Alexis_Gz]

British Canada 🍁

[@mackattack8627]

To Go Way Before This In World History The Native Alaska (Indian's) As Their Original Homeland Before European Colonization Just Spoke On A PBS Documentary Said That They Still Travel To Siberia/ Russia To Speak & Trade With Their Native People In Siberia & On Clear Days Wave To Each Still From Across The Water WoW ✌️

[@jontaedouglas7244]

Imagine Russia setting up nukes in Alaska 😅

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

Imagine Russia setting up nukes in Cuba

[@daveconrad6562]

​@@Chaldon-hl6ykimagine usa putting bases in every neighboring state surrounding you

[@play_boy7543]

Imagine Russia setting up nukes in submarines near NYC and LA

[@daveconrad6562]

@@play_boy7543 imagine being so arrogant you continue to fuck with them knowing this info

[@Alexis_Gz]

@@play_boy7543imagine nato is already in firing range of every Russian city 😁

[@xmaniac99]

And that is how the otter came to fear the human.

[@depekthegreat359]

I think Russia did a correct idea on doing this so that they would not be facing any war from the neighbouring territory to be precised,good friends!!!🙏🏻

[@swi-fy379]

The Spanish also led exploration voyages to Alaska in the 17th Century.

[@okapmeinkap7311]

and they were eaten alive by the grizzlies and the mosquitoes

[@okapmeinkap7311]

They found out there was another European power already squatting there

[@brianjurko9085]

Your image of Russia owning Alaska is incorrect. The part that dips into the Canadian coastline was not originally part of Russia. That’s the part that the US took from Canada.

[@kenwalker687]

Opps! We are not giving it back. We had treaty neogotiations.

[@pernilsson9749]

There were russian trade posts so far down as in California.

[@igameidoresearchtoo6511]

I have a question regarding your videos, what are your sources? if they are online, please link them in the description, it shouldn't be too hard, if they are books, then just list their names and authors, it would be extremely helpful to all of us and will remove any doubt from your videos. This is my 2nd attempt and I will continue until the sources are finally stated, it's much better to state them than not to after all.

[@potatogod975]

preach

[@creepinasicrawl]

"Why so serious, son?"

[@howiehall4622]

Wikipedia.

[@kma3647]

Raising the standards is always a good thing. Most of this video's stuff is what I'd call "general knowledge" to anyone who had a proper American history course in high school, but if you're not American or you had a "modern" education (indoctrination) where you didn't learn this stuff, references would be helpful for additional reading. It's a basic standard in academia. When you deliver a report, you cite your sources. That should not change simply because the medium is now YT instead of a written report.

[@talonyte9050]

Dude what is wrong with you like you need to calm down you are replying to everyone demanding sources when you can just search it up

[@trashakira]

Russia is a western country that colonized all of north asia.

[@ChannelRandomMy]

Not really western, but yes a European nation that did so.

[@terrygelinas4593]

$7.2 million in 1867, or $125 million today. Super bargain. And that year, the Brits formed the Dominion of Canada. Coincidence?

[@sailor583]

The Russians had explored Alaska starting around 1700 but really attempted to colonize it around 1800 by establishing small fur trading enclaves for the Russian Americas Co. By 1850 the fur trading enterprise proved to be a financial failure due to corruption and mismanagement. After the Crimean war they wanted to leave the expensive maintenance of the outposts but needed a buffer between Russia and the British forces in Canada so they approached the US for the sale and sweetened the deal with a rather low price. They only had a small presence there for about 50 years so any claims about having ancient historic claims to the land are bunga-bunga.

[@douglaslilley8696]

The Klondike Gold Rush was in the Yukon which is Canada not the USA!

[@KangaKucha]

Should be a Canadian Province instead.

[@kenwalker687]

Fat Chance! Alaska is much like Canada. However, we are not surrendering Canada to Russia nor our Canadian Sisters and Brothers. Nor do I believe that our Alaskin family want to join Canada, probably.

[@calebtoney4364]

That's not supposed to be impossible

[@Anthony-hh3dl]

I want to move to Alaska

[@kenwalker687]

It is a beautiful State but you must be young and have marketable skills. Oh, the skies are strange that is why you must be young so you can adapt.

[@SantaFe19484]

So, it was legal to criticize the Tsar during the Imperial period? Just imagine what the Cold War would been like if Alaska had been part of the USSR.

[@svihl666]

11:39 / 11:54

[@elfuturomio]

Because they were able to see Alaska from their backyard 🤣

[@AlbertFraklin1970]

Fort Ross is in California.

[@calvinaitkin-sf9up]

More to the point why did they sell it.?

[@DujasKasemWilliamJohn]

MONEY

[@fredricclack7137]

PAUL?! 😂

[@CamoJan]

@5:05 I don't believe Quebec province has ever been known as "British Canada" as shown.

[@weirdshibainu]

I believe the U.S. owes Mr. Seward a very heartfelt apology.

[@kenwalker687]

Seward's Folly, as I was taught in high school.