Ok, I heard somewhere that U.S. bougth Alaska from Russia for 7 million $, but did Russia buy it from canada, or colonized it?
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The U.S. government bought the territory of Alaska from the Russian-American Company (similar to the British East India Company), a czarist-granted monopoly on fur trading in Alaska and the right to claim possession to all territitories already occupied by Russians above 55 degrees latitude.
This charter was granted in 1799. By 1821, the original commercial charter had expired and governorship was granted to Russian naval officers. The Russians also had outposts in California.
Alaska was never part of Canada, really, as Britain agreed in 1824 that Alaska's eastern border was the 141st meridian.
So, to answer your questions:
1. The Russians colonized it
2. Canada didn't exist as a nation at the time of purchase, so it never 'owned' it. But, then again, Britain didn't, either.
Just FYI,
Himiko
This charter was granted in 1799. By 1821, the original commercial charter had expired and governorship was granted to Russian naval officers. The Russians also had outposts in California.
Alaska was never part of Canada, really, as Britain agreed in 1824 that Alaska's eastern border was the 141st meridian.
So, to answer your questions:
1. The Russians colonized it
2. Canada didn't exist as a nation at the time of purchase, so it never 'owned' it. But, then again, Britain didn't, either.
Just FYI,
Himiko
what a tragic loss for russia. if you think of this with hindsight. But alaska may have become independent by 1918.
Indeed (even Geoffrey Archer's been inspired to write a book with this as inspiration!)
The USA has a habit of picking up bargains, historically speaking.
True, Alaska was known as Seward's Icebox (after Secretary of State William Seward, who negotiated the deal.)
A long, long time ago, a mapmaker put next to an unknown cape, "cape, name?" That was misinterpreted as "cape, nome." The "cape" was dropped from the name, and you end up with "nome," Alaska.
My tidbit for the day...
My tidbit for the day...
A long, long time ago, a mapmaker put next to an unknown cape, "cape, name?" That was misinterpreted as "cape, nome." The "cape" was dropped from the name, and you end up with "nome," Alaska.
My tidbit for the day..., oh, and the Alaskan purchace was also known as "Steward's folly."
My tidbit for the day..., oh, and the Alaskan purchace was also known as "Steward's folly."
Wouldn't normally bother correcting spelling mistakes, but there are actually two authors. Jeffrey Archer, former MP, is the one who wrote the book "A matter of honour" to which you refer; Geoffrey Archer writes other novels, and is also not an habitual liar, cheat and serial thief currently serving a jail sentence for fraud and perjury. I'm sure he wouldn't want people to confuse the two and think he's a large-scale crook.
A most perspicaceous statement!
Especially as I don't recall hearing of the author ("Geoffrey" Archer) in question.......and I'm a bookworm!
So who wrote the book on an independant alaska? and how did he justify independance given the absurdly low population?
Did the Inuit drive them out and declare a nation (a la Cherokee)
<confused>
Did the Inuit drive them out and declare a nation (a la Cherokee)
<confused>
If you think that's absurd there are militas in wyoming who want independence. wyoming has 600,000 people less then alaska!
According to the 2000 Census, Alaska had 627,000 people while Wyoming had 494,000. This is a difference of 133,000 not 600,000.
Alaska only has a bit more then 600 000, when they would have had 600 000 more, Wymoning only has 27 000
Well done, emperor dennis........unless my faculty for English has deserted me completely, that's the most incomprehensible post anyone's ever posted on these forums!