why did Russia sell it to the US
why US buys it

Imperial Russia sold it, 'cause they simply couldn't hold it 0 it was too far. It was in the days before the railways became universal.

It was either selling it for some money at least to an insignificant upstart (at that time :p), or eventually abandoning it to another imperial power like Britain, or even Japan.

For the US' case, you can check out a similar thread somewhere below...

I heard that in agreement stood item about lease of Alaska for 200 years, but not about sale.
Sorry of my English

It made sense. Russia already had too much frozen land in Asia. Besides of that comes the fact that developing Alaska would require a lot of resouces, something which Russia didn't have much.
Russia, I believe, would inevitably lose possession of Alaska, because of the fact that Alaska is not a part of Russia's mainland.

Alaska was sold under a 99 year lease to the US get some much needed funds. Apparently the USSR could have bought it back from he US for around 700 million dollars in the sixties. :eek:

For more info, read Jeffrey Archer's "A MATTER OF HONOUR"

I doubt it, the deal was made with old imperialist czars, not the communist government, the radicle change in government probabley made that part of the contract null-as the U.S had already paid for, and occupied the land nothing could be done about it, besides why fight over Alaska? the gold rush already happend, and the oil deposites are not the richest,or easilly accsecible

Actually, any govt. change will not affect any treaties with a country.:p

Take Hong Kong for example!;)

There has never been such thing a land leasing between countries. Not I that know of.
Alaska was sold to America, not leased.
Where did you read that nonsense?
The problems of leasing such a large amount of land would be tremendous.

Read my above post for my source!:p

Originally posted by allhailIndia
Read my above post for my source!:p I believe that's a book of fiction...?

Modern novelists base fiction on fact. They don't like to invent too many facts, esp one which a 14 year old with Internet can check up:p

Originally posted by allhailIndia
Modern novelists base fiction on fact. They don't like to invent too many facts, esp one which a 14 year old with Internet can check up:p But apparently forgot to check this time...

Alaska Purchase- 1867

ARTICLE I.

His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russians agrees to cede to the United States . . . all the territory and dominion now possessed by his said Majesty on the continent of America and in the adjacent islands, the same being contained within the geographical limits herein set forth, to wit: The eastern limit is the line of demarcation between the Russian and the British possessions in North America, as established by the convention between Russia and Great Britain, of February 28-I6, I825, and described in Articles III and IV of said convention, in the following terms:
" Commencing from the southernmost point of the island called Prince of Wales Island...[a lengthy description of the boundaries of Alaska}

* * * * * * * *

ARTICLE III.

The inhabitants of the ceded territory, according to their choice, reserving their natural allegiance, may return to Russia within three years; but if they should prefer to remain in the ceded territory, they, with the exception of uncivilized native tribes, shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights, advan
tages, and immunities of citizens of the United States, and shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion. The uncivilized tribes will be subject to such laws and regulations as the United States may from time to time adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country.

* * * * * * * *

ARTICLE VI.

In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree to pay at the Treasury in Washington, within ten months after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russians, duly authorized to receive the same, seven million two hundred thousand dollars in gold...."

There's no mention of a lease.

Good one wilbill.
I don't they where came up with that absurd idea. I have never heard of lease between nations

Originally posted by marshal zhukov
Good one wilbill.
I don't they where came up with that absurd idea. I have never heard of lease between nations

try Hong Kong a 99 year lease to U.K. From China

Or Macao for that matter!!

Constantine is right about Hong Kong, but Macao was a Portuguese possession, it wasn't a lease.
Macao was portuguese territory for 1557 to 1999.

So it was a formal handover then ???:confused:

Yes it was. Portugal really had no other choice. Macao belonged to the chinese before 1557, so the chinese made a fair request.

The Panama Canal Zone was also a 99-year lease, which the USA gave back to Panama a few years back.

Of course we also indulged in some friendly invasion/regime change activities down there about the same time - but I suppose that'd be another thread.

Seward wanted an American Empire extending over N. America; he just never got around to getting Vicky to cede our neighbor to the north. Too busy with the Alabama, I guess.