Why is Alaska Part of the United States? (Explained)

Why is Alaska part of the US? Alaska, one of the 50 states that comprise the United States, is well-known throughout the world. Most people, however, are unaware of how a piece of territory that was once connected to Canada became part of the United States.

The treaty handing over control of Russian America to the United States was signed early on March 30, 1867, by Russian Minister Edouard de Stoeckl and United States Secretary of State William Seward.

Although many people are aware of the general plot of this story, very few are aware of the global implications of the sale.

Many governments were concerned about the potential consequences of the purchase, which was viewed as a critical step in the formation of a Russian-American alliance.

However, we will provide a brief history of the region and explain why Alaska is a state.

Why is Alaska Part of the United States?

With the acquisition of Alaska in 1867, the United States took an important step toward becoming a great power in the Asia-Pacific region.

Effectively ending Russian aspirations to establish trade and colonies along North America’s Pacific coast.

Russia, on the other hand, had a strong interest in this area, which was rich in natural resources but sparsely populated.

Beginning in 1725, when Russian Czar Peter the Great dispatched Vitus Bering to explore the Alaskan coast.

Then, as the United States pushed westward in the early 1800s, it quickly ran into conflict with Russian explorers and commerce.

St. Petersburg, on the other hand, lacked the financial resources to maintain substantial settlements or a military presence along North America’s Pacific coast.

And the number of permanent Russian residents in Alaska was never more than 400. The defeat in the Crimean War reduced Russian interest in this area even further.

Who Else Has Inhabited Alaska?

More than three-fifths of Alaska’s population lives in the Greater Anchorage-Kenai Peninsula area (including the Matanuska-Susitna borough north of Anchorage).

That region is well-known for its milder temperatures, proximity to the ocean, ice-free ports, and natural gas and petroleum production.

The major banks, corporations, and federal and state administrative organizations with Alaska headquarters use it as an air, land, and train transit hub.

More than one-eighth of the population lives in the Greater Fairbanks region, which includes the town of Delta Junction.

Which was formerly the epicenter of gold mining and the terminal of the Alaska Railroad, which runs from Seward to Fairbanks.

The larger fishing and tourist hubs of Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Juneau, which are located in the Gulf of Alaska islands and the southern coastline archipelago, also have a sizable population.

Furthermore, a large number of Alaskans live in small towns along rivers, roads, or the coast.

The majority of them live in Alaska’s western and Arctic regions, in the large towns of Barrow (near Point Barrow), Kotzebue, Nome, Bethel, Dillingham, Kodiak, and Unalaska.

All of which experienced rapid population growth in the final quarter of the twentieth century.

Barrow, the largest town on the North Slope and the northernmost in the country, has reaped significant benefits from Prudhoe Bay oil taxes.

What Was the Reaction to the Purchase of Alaska?

The unexpected news that Russia had been given to the United States in the midst of this global upheaval elicited a variety of reactions across Europe.

According to several American diplomats stationed in Europe, the news caught everyone off guard.

Rumors circulated that America pledged to support Russia’s territorial ambitions in Europe and the Middle East as part of the Alaska agreement.

France was the most concerned when the Alaska Purchase was announced.

Napoleon was especially concerned about Russian plans in Europe, but news of the purchase terrified the French people. Prussia was also concerned when the Alaska Purchase was announced.

The announcement of the Alaska Purchase was also used by some Prussians to discuss the Luxembourg Crisis between Prussia and France.

When Did Alaska Become a State?

In 1859, Russia made an offer to buy Alaska from the United States in the hope that the latter would counter Great Britain’s plans to become its main Pacific adversary.

Due to the impending American Civil War, the transaction was postponed, but Secretary of State William Seward immediately accepted a new Russian offer.

And agreed to a Russian Minister in Washington’s plan to buy Alaska for $7.2 million on March 30, 1867.

Alaska became a state of the United States on October 18, 1867, following the ratification of the treaty of purchase by the Senate on April 9 and signature by President Andrew Johnson on May 28.

This acquisition ensured the United States access to the Pacific’s northern rim while effectively ending Russia’s presence in North America.

Following its purchase, the United States paid little attention to Alaska for the next thirty years.

While it was under military, naval, or Treasury control, or at times, no control at all. In 1884, the United States established a civil government to enforce American mining regulations.

What were the Alaska Gold Rushes?

The Russian Tsar Paul I was concerned that Britain’s expansion over what was then known as British North America in Canada’s north was encroaching too closely on Russian territory.

He passed legislation prohibiting foreigners from profiting from trade in the region and increased support for Russian colonies there.

Russian colonies in Alaska were eventually sold to the United States as part of the Alaska Purchase.

Also known as Seward’s Folly because many Americans considered the territory to be essentially useless after years of upheaval in the region.

They couldn’t have been more wrong. Gold was discovered in the Canadian Yukon in the late 1800s.

Thousands of people migrated north in search of gold, despite the fact that it was unknown whether Alaska would also contain gold.

When gold was discovered outside of Nome, the area was inundated with gold rushers.

What Other Significant Events Have Happened in Alaska?

Alaska has been in the news for a variety of reasons since becoming a state.

In March 1964, Prince William Sound was devastated by the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America. It registered a 9.2 on the Richter scale.

There weren’t many people living there, which was fortunate. Although 130 people were killed, this is a sadly low number for an earthquake of this magnitude.

However, it resulted in the destruction of numerous structures as well as a tsunami that hit Hawaii and California.

Oil was discovered in 1968 on Alaska’s North Slope near Prudhoe Bay.

A pipeline network was built over the next ten years, permanently altering the state’s economic landscape. Prudhoe Bay is North America’s largest oil field.

What Does Alaska Look Like Today?

When many people think of Alaska, they may envision sparsely populated tundra or small communities devoid of modern conveniences.

There are still places like this, but much of Alaska has grown in a manner similar to the rest of the country.

There are now towns and cities all over the state. Anchorage, with a population of 300,000 people, is the largest city.

The same restaurants, theaters, shopping malls, and parks are available in larger Alaskan cities as in other American cities.

The majority of public schools resemble those in the lower 48 states, and residents have access to television and the internet.

Of course, some Alaskans prefer to live in remote areas and lead solitary lives.

There are 156 state parks, 17 national parks, and 16 national wildlife refuges in the state. Natural landscapes include forests, lakes, glaciers, fjords, and mountain ranges.

What is there to Do in Alaska?

In its place, Alaska offers incredible recreational opportunities. Tourists travel from all over the world to participate in recreational activities that are not available elsewhere.

Skiing in all of its forms is a popular pastime in the state. Numerous resorts cater to alpine skiers within 45 minutes of Anchorage.

There are tens of thousands of miles of cross-country ski trails. Ice climbing is an extreme sport in which athletes use picks and special footwear to scale ice walls.

In Alaska, where there is a lot of ice, knowledgeable experts can accompany beginners on these outings.

The guides ensure climbers’ safety while instructing them on proper technique and showcasing the region’s breathtaking views.

Alaska is also well-known for its dogsledding. Participants stand on a sled.

Depending on where you go in Alaska, there are numerous things to see. Seward, a seaside village, is a popular tourist destination.

The neighborhood has a dock and a few small shops. Each summer, as part of the Mt. Marathon race, a three-mile footrace to the summit of the 3,000-foot hill is held in town.

Another popular event is the Silver Salmon Derby, the state’s largest fishing competition. The Kenai Fjords National Park is also easily accessible from town.

Fairbanks is the second-largest city in Alaska. It is located near the state’s center and is well-known for its spectacular views of the Northern Lights.

The aurora borealis is seen on 243 evenings per year. The town was founded during the Gold Rush, and its legacy is still felt today.

Tourists can enjoy riverboat rides and gold panning on the Chena and Tanana rivers.

Because of its proximity to the Arctic Circle, the city is a popular stop on Arctic excursions.

Anchorage, the state’s capital, offers both indoor and outdoor activities. Downtown may have dining options, shopping malls, and nightlife.

There are also several theaters, concert halls, museums, and cultural centers. Visitors can escape the city by taking flightseeing trips to Mt. Denali.

Because it is 140 miles from Anchorage, this is the best route for tourists to see Denali.

There are also bear-viewing excursions and day cruises to explore the city’s famous glaciers.

What Else is there to Know About Alaska?

Alaska is the largest of the 50 states in the United States. It has the same land area as the contiguous United States.

With 663,300 square miles, it is larger than Texas, California, and Montana combined.

Only Vermont and Wyoming have fewer people, while Alaska, with a little more than 730,000 people, is ranked 48th in terms of the state population.

Alaska, on the other hand, has the lowest population density of any state due to its vast landmass.

If the state’s population was distributed evenly, there would be fewer than two people per square mile. Alaska has more notable peaks than Denali. The city is home to 17 of the top 20 peaks in the United States.