Why Did Russia Sell Alaska to the USA?

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About Thoughty2
Thoughty2 (Arran) is a British KZbinr and gatekeeper of useless facts. Thoughty2 creates mind-blowing factual videos about science, tech, history, opinion and just about everything else.
#Thoughty2
Writing: Jonathan Grant
Editing: Jack Stevens
Script Development: Steven Rix

[@deivclayton]

This video is a perfect example of why Thoughty2 is so successful at KZbin. He takes a paragraph out of my high school American History textbook and weaves it into delightful exposition, cheesy dad jokes and puns included. Well done.

[@peterfehr7441]

I'd watch him read a phone book. He would make it entertaining

[@dsxa918]

A insightful surmmisation of much of youtube as an educational resource or your textbook, as may have priorities mandated and still be unfortunate

[@dsxa918]

Hearing him say "there's gold there in them hills" > high school

[@dsxa918]

I've actually watched this mostly to try to comprehend how the Russians (it is only 50 - 80 miles, on one hand) got there before the British, and what that meant with the Canadian expansion occurring either before or after (I'd like to know)

[@justamanofculture12]

Absolutely true

[@NoelMcGinnis]

The deal was initially panned by most Americans and they called the purchase “Seward’s Folly” because they thought he was an idiot to buy Alaska at all. Time has proven that Seward quite literally struck gold with the purchase. Including black gold.

[@mjkay8660]

omg noel. i havent heard that term in decads,, sewards folly. wow ..what a memory!!

[@brutusthebear9050]

​@@mjkay8660 Damn, you were there?

[@SamsarasArt]

Oh yeah. I remember learning about this a long time ago when I was a kid in school.

[@icosthop9998]

More Facts, being learned in the comment section and TY 👌

[@damiondreggs3500]

Let's not underestimate the value of not having russian territory on your continent 🤔

[@MandaLynn8]

I had no problem Bering through til the end of the story. Quite witty and informative!

[@altac5428]

@Biggie Cheese dat

[@icosthop9998]

Yep

[@alexxakaromeo]

I Sea what you did there!

[@dinogt8477]

no one cares

[@Casual_Shenanigans]

I straight up agree with you!

[@merlapittman5034]

I remember learning about "Seward's Folly" back in school. It was an amazing story even from a school textbook, and to have Thoughty2 tell it in his inimitable style is fantastic. And I'm very happy about the return of the "big wet weasels"! I nearly did a spit take when he called them that - the way he said it just made it hilarious somehow

[@icosthop9998]

I Love all his videos 👌

[@frametrader2374]

What was not covered and I would really like to know is how was Alaska's eastern border with Canada originally determined ?

[@MrRobertFarr]

Sure. I remember. Reading about The American War of Independence. Against The British. With, the parallel of, whatever. Being, agreed upon. Perhaps, with the percieved. Naval Supremacy of USA. It was given up, similar to Ethiopia where the, King there thought that, owning seaside territory was hopelessly competitive.

[@MrRobertFarr]

👍🇬🇧🇬🇳🇲🇺 There is peace at last, in Northern Ethiopia!

[@nannettefreeman7331]

My great-grandfather worked building the Alaska Pipeline, & I have a friend whose dad, a geologist who spent a lot of time studying Alaska, has a tundra there named after him. It's the Pewe (pronounced "pay way") Tundra. He's no Bering, but it's a start! ✌🏼

[@anon_y_mousse]

The mini stories you tell are works of poetry. I don't know how long it takes you to write each episode, but it's gold.

[@dwightd.eisenhower2031]

Black gold

[@sews1523]

Writing: Jonathan Grant Editing: Jack Stevens Script Development: Steven Rix

[@I_Anony]

Similar name

[@than217]

I can tell Thoughty2 is a true Brit because he removed France from the map at 8:13

[@Nancy3]

And Slovakia?

[@w1ndt]

Finally the update came

[@mikeevans1445]

haha! didnt notice that til you pointed it out! Thats hard case :)

[@marcushjorth1319]

Why did he remove France from the map? is it just some British joke that goes over my head or..? - From Denmark

[@artinu]

One of the few good things that happened due to the pandemic is that I had shitload of time and found your channel. Thank you and please keep it going!

[@davidschumaker8107]

Same. Here, here to Thoughty 2!

[@JordanLane7]

Love the fact your videos come with a fact to explain then that fact comes with another fact so you’re learning more than you came for

[@marcusharris188]

For real. Didn't know all that stuff about berring for one lol

[@thischanelnolongerexists9041]

@@marcusharris188 this theme has been covered 100's of times

[@icosthop9998]

And that is a *FACT* ❗️!❕️!❗️

[@marcusharris188]

@@thischanelnolongerexists9041 oh that's really cool man didn't ask though

[@dinogt8477]

misinformation

[@klausmitterrutzner3745]

Did you know that Alaska before being offered to US it was offered to Lichtenstein, but they declined the purchase

[@douglasmcneil8413]

I lived in Anchorage from 1961 to 1965. Some of the best memories of my youth. Thanks for the video. it brought a smile to my face.

[@antaresthirdeldenlord4840]

I think I can bare living in Alaska, as I used to anyhow, though bearing the Bering Sea was quite unbearable at times, being at home in Anchorage wasn't always easy either, too many bears, how unbearably sturdy one must be to live somewhere most deem unbearable.

[@charliepea]

Can you bear to live in Alaska by bearing the cold with only your bare skin too?

[@antaresthirdeldenlord4840]

@@charliepea perhaps if winter shall be more bearable than last year. As the bears enjoyed a long stay.

[@MultiRingtail]

I live in Anchorage. You are more likely to see moose than bears

[@letsRumble814]

@@MultiRingtail are there bad b!tches in Alaska? Would like to move there someday but I wanna know if y'all got women

[@MultiRingtail]

@@letsRumble814 Only in big cities

[@Spartan265]

It's crazy how long you've been putting out solid videos. Pretty much every single one is informative or at least worth watching. Can't say that about most channels. I've been watching since at least 2015(maybe 2016). Enjoyed every minute of it so far.

[@Noise_floorxx]

He has a team but I was thinking the same thing as the start of the video

[@hana_maru22]

I also like watching him grow, like he was a little awkward in the beginning and he has polished himself with every video. Excellent content 🥰

[@davidohara7669]

Excellent story telling as always.

[@icosthop9998]

Most Excellent 👌

[@ps4games164]

Do you have hight degree dude? Or you are just the next uneducated peasant that applauding whatever?

[@thetinkerist]

Thanks, a nice one, this one, I always love your narratives and stories. Onto the next one, thanks man 😊

[@Indigenous51]

Your narratives are exemplary. Entertaining and informative 👌🏻🤩

[@randompersonh]

I live in interior Alaska, for my whole life. I've learnt a lot about my home state, and I must say, it's pretty awesome. Knowing how big it is, it's mostly made of villages. But it was a huge bargain. We had gold!! Anyways, my point is that we're awesome and better than Texas. Thank you for your time.

[@cplmpcocptcl6306]

You’re bigger than Texas. I certainly wouldn’t say better.😂

[@davidlancaster8152]

Awesome job Aaron!! Not only informative but you cracked me up several times. Very cool 😎. Thanks bro

[@ankicraft4702]

I love these videos, you are great at explaining things and it's easy to understand the topic. Keep up the good work !! :DD

[@turnersutherland]

Ive always thought about this. Thank you so much for making this video. You do such a great job, every time. Most consistent “youtuber”. But id consider you more than that!

[@zeusedoo9291]

I have learned so much from your show. I enjoy them all and apprieciate all the work you do to put these videos out. You make everything so interesting and I love your special way of presenting each video. Thank you Thoughty2 for the funest way to learn new things.

[@emmanuelmichealnweze6618]

I can’t enough of your informative stories,you’re superb,more grace to your elbows

[@michaelbennett9428]

This is the most beautiful video I've seen on KZbin. I enjoyed every second of it. Thanks guys.

[@user-im7km8tq7j]

The sea otters population restoration was the best part of the video

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

Yes 👍

[@Ultra4115_]

I swear, every video you make, I almost always wanna watch it :) Keep up the great work 👍 FYI: I already knew about this story from chats with my dad while watching alaskan shows on discovery but still super cool to see you making a video on it

[@vinnylamoureux1187]

As usual, a fine job of it, old boy. Well researched and presented with humor. A great combination. Kudos.

[@SamsarasArt]

That over Bering pun was great lol

[@tanyaverma8378]

I can’t really express how interesting and entertaining your videos are ……god bless you man !!!

[@darlamae9876]

Another great video thanks buddy 🙏🏽✊🏽 I learned so much from you 🎉

[@NSMrNinjaGaming]

your videos are so interesting and informative and i am suprised you havent got 20 mil subs

[@Munchausenification]

luxembourg was considered as buyers of Alaska as well. I wonder what that would have been like

[@nix1059]

I learn more from you, than i every did at school, keep it up, you are informative and humorous. Thank you

[@ezlife4690]

Thanks for spreading knowledge brother

[@philipwalton4877]

Any MrBallen fans here.. The two best story tellers on KZbin.. Both for different types of stories.

[@BustedReijii]

binge watched both for days lol, great storytellers indeed

[@CaseyAvalon]

I am trying to get in MrBallen but idk

[@philipwalton4877]

@@CaseyAvalon All I’ll say is keep going.. he’s like a Netflix series you can’t get into at first but once you do you’ll be absolutely hooked in the end trust me

[@philipwalton4877]

Swamp dweller is a good listen too

[@matthewarmitage6681]

Mrballen is great but he is so racist to the poor like button 🤣

[@PrairieWolf62]

Thoughty2, I've learned more from you than I've ever learned from boring teachers.

[@shaukahodan2373]

Your narratives are exemplary. Entertaining and informative

[@elmacho2789]

Bold of Thoughty2 to refer to it as Alaska rather than its real name, the Bering Peninsula.

[@renobgm]

I love how the RU-US deal not only proves we knew the Earth was round, but almost precisely how round it was.

[@movingontorealfreedom7305]

@Thoughty2! Your attire and style of presentation has gone through the roof since you started on your “KZbin journey.” I’m SO VERY impressed with your transformation! I never lack for more information after I’ve seen one of your videos! They are just spectacularly entertaining! Cheers!

[@bjw4859]

That was very well made, so much information.

[@burtreynoldz6308]

I love your videos. Always entertaining and always informative. The animations are always fun too. Do you do the animations yourself?

[@antiqueperfection]

Another great video as always. But, although I almost never point out the occasional factual or script error on any video I watch, there were a couple of major errors near the end. "over two hundred years later" - more around 120 years give or take, just a typo there. But the Nome end of "100 tons every year" is the big error. The total gold production overall for the Alaska Nome region has been 110 tons/3.6 million ounces over all time - not per year. The total gold production in all of Alaska annually is around 30 tons per year on average. Funny enough, Nevada is the largest gold producing state in America producing around 180 tons annually.

[@alexc7095]

Great content as always !

[@hdwarrior8830]

Very surprised you didn't mention the flack Seward caught for buying this... it was called Seward's Folly for many years.

[@raritania7581]

That was just a vocal minority. Most people at the time either supported it or didn't care.

[@seanmoore489]

thanks for the new content. your definitely one of the youtube greats i look for your new content every week religiously.

[@Misteribel]

While I’m intimately familiar with this well know story, it’s just so must fun to hearing you tell it!

[@icosthop9998]

Lots of new stuff for me 🤔

[@Lord_Shal]

Such a great and informative video. Great job 🍻

[@adrianmillard6598]

I just want to say that your presentation of this video was fantastic. Certainly informative and interesting, but with the added bonus of some sarcasm and humour. It was really fun to watch.

[@Looking-Glass87]

Next make a video about the dispute between Canada and the USA about the exact boarders of Alaska. Ever wonder why that nice straight line doesn't continue across, but instead includes a lot of coastline rich in softwood lumber and hunting? Yeah.... Canada wondered too, and the legal battle ensued. Please do a video about it! :D

[@donseaton3180]

What I want to know is how can Russia sell land that is physically North America? It was on contiguously part of Canada.

[@pylonmountain9239]

@@donseaton3180 Because Russia stuck flags in it before the British did on behalf of Canada, and in those days sticking flags in things (and being willing to shoot the people who tried to take them down) was all it took to claim land no matter where in the world it was.

[@donseaton3180]

@@pylonmountain9239 interesting that part of the north america continent can be claimed "just because". Hahaha

[@tristonloux966]

The “over Bering” joke was fantastic

[@Realz-bb3uf]

no it was definitely forced. there's nothing complicated about 3 different geographic features with the word bering in it.

[@tristonloux966]

@@Realz-bb3uf it has nothing to do with being complicated. Sorry you didn’t find it as funny as your Facebook memes

[@qvasar2277]

Yo, I'm just down here to say I love your videos, you've got me addicted smart British man 👍

[@michaelbarbera1616]

Yet another 15 minutes of my time that doled out an exponential amount of thoughtful information. Never a disappointment at this channel, thank you.

[@feralbluee]

really terrific episode! i knew a little about Alaska - mostly about the fauna, nature preserves, and Native Americans. wait - native Russians? how about the guys who were there way before us :) so, so glad the otters came back! thanks Aaran. so glad you’ve got this sow on YT. :) 😋🐋🐇🐑🐻‍❄️🦭🐕🦉🦅🐺🌷🌲

[@magking1971]

Those are native asians

[@theemraldwolf5874]

Love your videos ❤ love from Ireland

[@justing1474]

Another great vid my good man 👏

[@georgesmith4509]

Once again a brilliant piece

[@georgejr.7182]

"Glacier " Thoughty: "glass ear" 😂😂

[@courthall353]

Glasseuss

[@EliAngwin]

You should do a story of the valley of the headless men in Alaska. A 100 year old unsolved mystery that had a recurrence in the early 2000’s.

[@Seawitch907]

It was actually just over the border in British Columbia but very close to Ketchikan

[@Joe-ns4ek]

Flat earthers watching this entire video like : 👁️👄👁️ Great video!

[@susannaknobloch4601]

Very interesting and beautifully made as always! And I am really happy that the otters are back!

[@brandonpiazza6210]

I have absolutely fallen in love with this man called 42! Smart, funny, a great storyteller! Why did it take me so long to find him? My favorite part of every video is when he gives me a little wink at the end! 😉 No one probably notices because it’s just a little inside joke between us to let me know he’s thinking of me!🤫. But it’s very sweet!

[@marbzdesigns5342]

This guy's video are always informative that I don't even feel like I'm wasting time watching KZbin

[@michaelstone5298]

Point 4, of course if the Russians had known that there was gold in Alaska they probably would have asked for more money but realistically they didn't have the resources to develop a region that was so far away from their main population centers.

[@richland1980]

Neither a rail or warm water port connection

[@michaelstone5298]

@@richland1980 good points

[@vividvoodoo7323]

Was just reading about alaska from few days. What great timing bro

[@DrDr1v1]

I enjoy yours vids so much tbh I've learned much from you. They dnt teach you this in school at all

[@jonnylawless6797]

They 100% believed it was worthless, it was like they didn't even try to find gold there lol

[@orion5992]

hey, they are Russians ... !? What good is gold anyway?

[@dariomladenovski6481]

it was impossible to defend

[@thebighurt2495]

@@PancakeBoi They were also *super* broke.

[@user-fi2fk2ei7o]

Russia was very broke and America wass Russia's best friend at the time

[@roelsvideosandstuffs1513]

If they do, they won't sell it do they? When people just think about money and the land they conquered...

[@Jinxy98]

My boyfriend just told me as we are watching this, "He's adorable. He's basically the UK Ryan Reynolds." 🤣 We love your videos. Thank you SOO much for intelligent, informing, and quality content! 💙

[@ItIsYouAreNotYour]

Tell your BF to stop using adorable. And does he even LIFT?

[@Jinxy98]

@@ItIsYouAreNotYour No, but he has a good job, a loving heart, an open mind, and a 🍆 😁 What do YOU have? 😂

[@djsonicc]

What a weird thing to comment on a video lol

[@sam_9228]

@@ItIsYouAreNotYour u okay?

[@juggernaut6141]

Your boyfriend's gay

[@lifeweights7519]

Everyone please go like this guys videos he used to be on the front page of KZbin and his channel is a hidden treasure. This is by far one of the best factual listing KZbin channels, and this man deserves credit for his really iconic and original content. He depends on us to like and subscribe so he’s view count gains traction.

[@jaybat1184]

See, now this is interesting! You rock my friend I love this channel!

[@q3aryoko]

Great video, Born and bred American here. I never had much interest in Alaska and it's history...the funniest thing is how Russia and we, bargained on a giant plot of land that wasn't even ours lol. Some things we learned from the Brits i guess ;p

[@Michael-uf1hz]

Who's was it? The indigenous people who lived a primitive lifestyle with no means of industry or military force to protect it. The idea of owning something because you were there first dosent seem to work so well when foreign powers come knocking. If you desire peace, prepare for war.

[@General_Tso762]

It belonged to the most violent and enduring people who could take it. As per "native American" culture. Or do you think they were all peace loving hippies? Lol!

[@rafanadir6958]

Also I don't think the Russian made that bad of a deal, since they didn't actually control the province, thus they didn't loose that much.

[@coyote4237]

Thanks for another great video.

[@babiryeethel8582]

Most interesting, well done.

[@fritz1990]

And I love living here in Alaska.

[@hal6702]

Soviets, 200 years later: "this has been the worst trade deal in the history of trade deals, maybe ever."

[@apallok54]

Love your channel!! Been following since 2015

[@edgar256]

most underated youtuber. lets share his channel for more subscribers. love this guys story telling skills.

[@phillipc1819]

I grew up in Anchorage, didn't know too much about how little Russia explored the place. All I remember is how they exploited the natives to help hunt the wildlife. On a side note, it would be cool to have a videos on the origin of the Iditarod race. Love to see an outside perspective.

[@zarnell]

The original trail that is the Iditarod race was the trail the "Dog Mushers raced" to bring the villages much needed antibiotics and other medicines..... They saved a lot of lives. Each stop along the route is a town or village they delivered medicine too. The race honors their deed.

[@zarnell]

@Whatsapp±𝟷𝟽𝟽𝟹𝟼𝟼𝟿𝟺𝟿𝟺𝟹 piss off Punjabi

[@Anothermachine]

If they had Thoughty2 videos when i was in highschool i wouldn't have had to take history in summer school...

[@Unendlichkeit.]

One of the best things that happened to me on KZbin was accidentally stumbling on this Channel 3 years ago, I thought it was clickbate, but I just clicked to see, a decision not regretted. Thoughty 2 truly is Amazing

[@Macromental]

Informative and entertaining... thank you Thoughty

[@tcggggg]

Good to see an og youtuber still doing their thing 🔥

[@majorminer7252]

Question- The map of the Louisiana purchase seems to show part of Canada in the purchase. What happened with that land?

[@Bolts-qs3rd]

Bargains are the best!

[@MathiasAmling]

I love the ending with the otters :) :) Great storytelling!

[@molmol690]

"Overbering" got me! Good one!

[@amandacollins6215]

This was very well put. We have family of sea otters that live under our boat docks at Squaw Harbor, just outside of Sand Point, Alaska. I love Alaska

[@give_me_my_nick_back]

Actually, it's kinda weird the UK allowed it and did not claim Alaska for Canada

[@billrobertjoe]

oh yeah it's so weird they didn't want to start another war soooooo weird

[@billrobertjoe]

"but they did with all those natives who fought with bows and spears" lollllll

[@brandonlyon730]

Colonies weren’t cheap to maintain, they already have all of Canada as it is with a large amount of it being frozen tundra they would see claiming more frozen tundra a waste of effort, manpower, and money.

[@davekennedy6315]

@@billrobertjoe like the US does in modern times? Or that the US did to the Native Americans? Even the fact that the whole of the US is stolen land, stolen resources, stolen from the Native Americans or stolen from Mexico?

[@billrobertjoe]

@@davekennedy6315 what relevance does your reply have? it really just seems like a kneejerk comment because you misunderstood something

[@aarondenser9103]

All ways come through with the best vids.

[@MeMesofSavagery]

Awesome video! Who writes your scripts if you don't mind me asking?

[@MadLicha]

"Why did Susan move to Canada?" "Alaska" "Nevermind, I'll ask her myself. "

[@CaseyAvalon]

Hehe 🤭

[@kayroe1831]

In today's dollars, 1 Twitter = 304.724 Alaskas

[@scottieman2]

Thanks for the video.

[@patriciamurphy6559]

Wow! I never knew this, probably learned this in Jr. High or High School, but, back then l wasn't too into history. Thx Thoughty 2! 😃

[@NoelMcGinnis]

When I lived in Alaska, the state history class we took said that Russia really only used Alaska for the fur trading business. Once they hunted the seals to near extinction, they figured it was just a winter wasteland. They made a colossal mistake since it’s the wealthiest state in the US. 😂

[@rafanadir6958]

If the Russian had remained there, it wouldn't be anything remotely wealthy.

[@rantlyy]

@@rafanadir6958 Not really true as its wealth comes from resources which russia is great at harvesting and selling, its our whole economy plactically. If anything we would have done much better than US with our lax laws

[@NullHand]

In 1867, striking oil still meant stabbing a great big marine mammal with a harpoon, and holding on for dear life. And the Russians were already swimming in more timber than they could shake a meteor at.

[@esm7ralda]

@@rantlyy It would have been a shit hole. All that money from the sold resources (if they even had bothered to look for them) would have gone to Moscow to the oligarchs, and the people in Alaska would have toilets outside the house and no hot water.

[@rantlyy]

@@esm7ralda oh yeah because Alaska right now is a buzzing state filled with mega cities lmao. It’s literally exactly what you described. And I don’t know what you think eastern Russia looks but it’s not all like that 😂😂 Please educate yourself it’s embarrassing

[@ConnorAdventure]

That’s a very good question that I never thought to ask 😂

[@TheFightingRoo]

I love the way you handle all the indigenous issues, thank you

[@kestonsmith1354]

Always wondered this question

[@jeptoungrit9000]

07:49 Quick question, who ever had a rightful claim to any land? Nobody knows how many tribes of North American Indians were genocided by other tribes of North American Indians? Even the Japanese aren't indigenous to Japan. So if there are no true "natives" then why are we only vilifying the conquests of Europeans? Genghis Khan slaughtered his way across Eurasia, but nobody is harassing the Tibetans over that. So why are the Europeans the target of this blame. It's because they're rich, and any money that can be guilted out of them is free money. It's always and forever about the money.

[@expertadvice4u]

Because it makes leftists feel better to say it. Strange none of them give up their land to indigenous tribes but it makes them seem very happy to point out what a shame it is.