Why did Russia sell Alaska to America? (Short Animated Documentary)

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In this episode we'll discuss why the Russian Empire opted to sell Alaska to the United States and for what amount.

[MisterCynic]

"Russia and America, friends forever!"

Tragic.

[arvinlim]

It's crazy to think at one point, Russia was part of Europe, Asia, and North America.

[AureliusLaurentius]

Russia:Have fun with your frozen wasteland comrade
USA: *Finds oil and gold*
Russia:Cyka Blyat

[kingdom]

even adjusted to today's dollar, Buying Alaska was such an unreal win for the Americans. To add that much land and resources to your country without any bloodshed has got to be top ten best deals in history!

[Pain-wwne]

I like the scene where Russia and America run on a field of flowers like best friends.

[beckyacampoverde]

Russia: sells Alaska because thought was a lump of snow
USA: finds oil
Russia: O_O

[KING-bttm]

Imagine what the Soviet Union could’ve done if it had Alaska during the Cold

[leminjapan]

As a Canadian I always thought it was bizarre that Russia looked to the US to buy Alaska instead of you know, Canada, the country that Alaska is hanging on to, but then I remembered we had barely graduated from being a British colony at the time and thus no one even knew or cared we existed. Much like today!

[OreoFuffMcduff]

Alaska: we are the biggest state in the USA!

Texas: you’re adopted

[ANTICENA]

Russia: Thanks for purchasing Alaska America!
US: You're welcome, hopefully this is the start of many years of prosperity between our two countries!
*Cold War has entered the chat*

[rydemk]

“Overseas territory”
*51 Miles (81Km) away from Siberia*

[tomerpilo]

When you realize that it would cost more to make a Hollywood movie about the Alaska purchase then the actual Alaska purchase

[DISTurbedwaffle]

"The Russian Empire was keen to keep up good relations with the Americans."
*wish we could turn back time, to the good old days*

[carl]

USA: *Finds oil in Alaska*
Russia: "This has been the worst trade deal in the history of trade deals, maybe ever!"

[JohnStark]

There was also a key factor: the Czar was a friend of the United States. During the Civil War, England and Germany wanted to intervene on the side of the Confederates, seeing an opportunity to gain land and resources in America. The Czar let them know that in the event they intervened, Russia would enter the war on the side of the Union.

[arcticwolf]

Being born and raised in Alaska we learned about why Alaska was sold in elementary school. And one of our high school classes was all about the history of Alaska.

[albar]

-Russia and the U.S.
-Best friends forever.

[bobo]

If we adjust for inflation, in today's money it would cost 108M ( if it was sold for 7.2m in back then's money ) but considering that the dollar was tied to the gold more accurately it would be about 495 million-ish

[MTTT]

And today Alaska probably produces enough oil and other natural ressources worth that price they sold it for every day.

[BlahCraft]

Another thing to note is fur trading. Under Russia, Alaska's colonial economy mostly revolved around fur trading, and with over hunting, the whole operation was probably losing them money. The land was originally seen as so overpriced that the purchase was called "Seward's Folly" (Seward was the US secretary of state). A gold rush, and an oil rush later, everyone has flipped their opinions of the purchase.