It is said that at the time of the transaction, the US Congress still wanted to default, and the last American rich paid the bill.
Alaska is located in the northwest of the North American continent, where there are mainly some indigenous peoples, such as Indians, Eskimos and Aleutians. It was discovered by Russian "land pioneers" at the end of 17 century, and then a settlement was established here. It was not until 1798 that Russian and American companies were established, and their business scope included fishing and hunting grounds and mineral exploitation.
1854, Russia was caught in the Crimean war and had no time to look east. At this time, an American named Saunders visited the Tsar's brother, Archduke konstanz nikolayevich, in the name of a businessman. Coincidentally, three years later, Dagong suggested to the newly appointed Russian foreign minister, Duke Gorchakov, that Alaska should be sold to the United States. Because of the importance of the matter, the Duke of Gorchakov had to report to the Tsar. Unexpectedly, the tsar wrote instructions: "This discussion is worth considering. 」
However, the foreign minister is not in favor of betraying national interests. He set up a game and suppressed the matter for ten years.
But this decade, the Grand Duke of nikolayevich has not been idle. In addition to constantly blowing in the ear of the eldest brother tsar, he also dragged the finance minister Laiteng into the water.
1In September, 866, Lai Teng pointed out in his report to the Tsar: In the past two or three years, the national debt was high and the national treasury was empty. In order to pay off its foreign debt, it is necessary to raise 4.5 million rubles as soon as possible, but it is impossible to raise this money at home, and two solutions are listed: one is to repay its old debt with new international loans, but the problem is that no country is willing to lend again a few days ago. The second is to postpone debt repayment, but only if Alaska is sold.
Thanks to the efforts of Archduke nikolayevich, Tsar Ben finally made it clear that he agreed to betray Alaska. But at this time, the Ross Council of Ministers and the State Council knew nothing about it. There is no official record, but it is recorded in Alexander II's diary: "At noon 1, Duke Gorchakov held a meeting on American companies. Decided to sell it to America. 」
Americans really want to buy Alaska, but at this time the United States has just ended the civil war and the national treasury is empty. So during the negotiation, Belmont, the head of Frankfurt Branch of Bank of Lochiel, gave the money to the United States and * * * came forward to buy Alaska.
Just as the "negotiations" between Russia and the United States were drawing to a close, the United States, on behalf of Secretary of State Hugh Alder, changed Article VI of the Treaty from "5 million dollars" to "7.2 million dollars". Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Gorchakov immediately urged Fang Fei to transfer the money to Bahrain Bank in London. 」
1in the early morning of March 29th, 867, the two sides formally signed the treaty.
After the United States bought Alaska, it didn't see the value of this land. When World War II broke out and the Japanese army occupied the Aleutian Islands, the United States realized the military significance of this barren land. After World War II, the United States established a military base here.
Then the largest oil field in North America was discovered in Alaska, accounting for one-seventh of the total output of the United States. Secondly, it is also the main transportation route for Japan and the Far East to North America and Northern Europe.
In addition, it has superior natural conditions and is a world tourist attraction.
Today's Alaska far exceeds the value of $7.4 million at that time.