I'd read an article recently on my cell phone and had to go back to find it...

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-03-29/why-russia-gave-up-alaska-americas-gateway-to-the-arctic

It's a complex mix of history but basically the Russian population in that vast land was miniscule through almost their entire ownership of it. So even though there are strategic reasons today why it would be nice for Russia if they still had it the truth is it would probably have set vulnerable and underutilized anyway. And worse, during the Cold War, being so close the the USA, their presence there could have actually sparked real military clash between the two superpowers. Heck we went out of our way to blockade and then ostracize Cuba over missiles, just think what we would have done relative to a military presence on our own land mass.

I believe Russia made a good decision by selling Alaska to the U.S.. Russia had just lost the Crimean War against France and Great Britain. They needed money and Alaska was a good way to get it. Russia did not have much use for keeping Alaska as they had completely destroyed their main source of income from it, the fur trade. Russia also needed the U.S. as an ally and by selling Alaska to them they would remain on good terms.

Not only did this benefit the US in the sense that they began to expand even more AND they got super lucky with the amount of resources found in Alaska. BUT this was also super beneficial for the Russians: the creation of a stronger alliance between the two (until the Cold War but we don't need to talk about that) and the trade benefits that came from all of the resources within Alaska. AND at the time, Russia created a foothold over the British, who they just got out of the Crimean war with, since they cornered Canada with the US (who was slowly becoming a world superpower).

I believe Russia made a good decision in selling Alaska to the United States. They were having financial problems and they knew they couldn't fight off the U.K. if they would have gone to war with them. Russia needed to give it to a trusted country, and we were lucky to be it. The cheap price of Alaska and the resources that we discovered when exploring, made America a very lucky community. The oil, coal, and gold that were found got us back way more of the money that we bought Alaska for in the first place.

I believe that Russia made a good decision by selling Alaska to America, because at the time, Russia was vulnerable. After the Crimean war, Russia needed the money, and the U.S was looking to continue expansion. Russia also knew that if they did not sell Alaska, that it could have been seized by the U.K, and Russia would not have money to defend.

Yes! Both Russia and the United States gained many benefits from this agreement. Not only did Russia need: 1) An effective and efficient way to reduce debt 2) To focus their time and resources on other areas, but the United States gained: 1) Long and short term resources and benefits 2) A large amount of land at an economical price 2) Security on their Western front. Both superpowers gained what they needed at the time, and avoided future conflict and difficulties over Alaska.

I believe Russia made a good decision mainly for the fact that there really was no purpose to own Alaska. The fur trade was one of their only sources of income (which was depleted very quickly), they had just gotten out of a war, and they desperately needed money. The Russians were given a chance of financial aid, and they took that chance, resulting in them being able to start again. Overall, Russia made a good decision in selling Alaska to the United States.

Russia didn't have the resources to support such a huge territory so they sold it to an ally who could. Thus giving them a new trading route with america.

Russia made a good decision because they made an alliance with America while paying off some of their war debt. It also gave America more land and later, more resources.

I think that Russia made a good decision because at the time they weren't capable of exploring Alaska and finding resources due to their lack of money and time.

It was a good decision overall because they had to do what they had to do to pay their debt

Russia made a good decision because it helped them pay off some of their war debt and they also formed and alliance with America.

Selling Alaska to the United States further strengthened that relationship. United States earned their money back quickly, despite the fact Russia also looked for resources and was unsuccessful. Russia was better off with their new 7.2 million and Britain did not advance on Alaska or make a threatening move on the United States because of the lands new ownership. Both sides; Russia and the United States, took a risk selling or buying Alaska but over all it was a plus for both sides. The Natives were also better off without the Russian control and with the kinder Americans. Over all it was for the best.

I think they made a good decision because America needs more oil.

Russia was unwilling to explore and expand, but America was full of hearty adventurers ready for the challenge of untouched lands. We had the drive to win, and we bought the land and now we are a state. BOOM!, MERICA!

I believe that Russia made a good decision in selling Alaska. There lack of money, would have made exploring Alaska inscrutable hard for them. Them gaining money from selling Alaska helped them to get out of debt, even if that money was not received for a couple of years. Russia was also able to keep Britain from obtaining it, which is plus for both Russia and America. Another good thing is that America was able to sufficiently explore and use the natural resources that come from Alaska.

I think Russia made a good desicion the sell Alaska to America because america is great

Russia made a good decision because they didn't have the money for their debt from the Crimean War. They also made an alliance with the United States, and by selling Alaska they were cornering the British territory of Canada.

Russia made a good decision because in the long run it helped America with gathering and collecting resources throughout the years. Alaska has payed back America 10 times over which has helped us.

Russia made a good decision for themselves and for America to share. Russia was able to get out of debt from it when they sold Alaska, and U.S Eventually found out that there were essential resources; Gold, and Oil, which created more profit for themselves.

Russia made a good decision because since they lost the crimean war they gained not only an ally but as well as a chunk of money to get them out of their war debt. Also they had drained what resources they knew were there and any relevant source of gold would have been crazy luck.

Russia made a good decision because it made money for a "worthless land". Also Russia wasn't doing so good so some other country could've taken it over. So it's a good thing that they sold it.

At the time, Russia was in financial crisis and did not have the funds necessary to pay back the 15 million pounds sterling (Russian currency) that they owed. While it is true that Russia could've refrained for selling Alaska until they had assurances that they would be paid back since the United States was in turmoil because of the Civil War, it made more sense for Russia to sell Alaska. Additionally the Russians had no idea there were more valuable resources within Alaska. To their knowledge, Russia had already maximized their exploitation of Alaska and there was nothing left for them in the cold, barren land. Nowadays we know better, Alaska has brought in over 45 billion dollars for the US from its various resources and it is a wonderful place. However, Russia could not defend Alaska and needed money, which could be obtained from selling Alaska.

Russia made a good decision on selling Alaska because it helped not only Russia but also Untied States. Russia gained ally with United States and out grew their debt in money. United States gained more land and resources that made an impact on the mainland especially oil.

Russia made a good decision because they were broke and just had lost Crimean war. Also they did not need to worry about Britain attacking them in Alaska. Russia was no longer making that much profit from Alaska as fur trading was declining.

Russia made a good decision to sell it due to their money problem. At the time, Russia was starting to go in debt and couldn't afford to explore Alaska and it's extreme weather conditions and landscape. They were also having problems with Great Britain attacking them so if they didn't sell Alaska, they would have had problems with Great Britain taking over Alaska. They also made a good decision to sell Alaska to America because they were looking at wanting Alaska so they can take over Canada, which was part of Great Britain at the time. This decision helped Russia get Great Britain off their backs because Russia got farther away from Great Britain and Russia and America were good allies back then. This helped America in a military strategic way, it helped surround Great Britain in Canada so they couldn't go anywhere and allows us to get to Asia in a quicker and more efficiency. This helped Russia because they gained roughly 7 million dollars and they didn't have to deal will the problem of Native Alaskans rebelling against the Russians. So the Russians made a good decision on selling Alaska to the Americans.

Russia needed money to keep their country afloat. Alaska was an unknown territory with no verified reliable resources other than the fur trade. Even the fur trade had started to dwindle. They needed to sell something, and Alaska was the best choice.

They made a good decision because during that time Russia was in debt and need the money to paid that debt. Russia also don't have the economic power to support as much the settlers in Alaska.

Yes Russia made a good decision because even though they didn't know it then, Alaska is full of resources. we made way more money than we paid for Alaska because of all of the goods and resources which was a realllllllllllllllllly good deal. And Alaska is beautiful so thats even better.

Russia selling Alaska was the best decision for them to make regarding Alaska at the time. Alaska may have had resources that Russia could have taken advantage of, but the fact that there was a ocean between Russia and Alaska was a major obstacle that would have wasted Russia more money than they were likely to make. Also as stated by another person in this feed, Russia would have lost more resources and money than was necessary to protect Alaska, especially during the Cold War.

Of course perspective is everything in this argument, but the decision for Russia to sell the Alaskan territory to the United States has been beneficial for both countries in the long run. At the time Russia was in dire need of the money and the money from the developing resources helped boost the developing Nation that is the United States.

I think that Russia made a great decision selling Alaska to America, they did not have the resources to gather resources, and explore in Alaska. Also the Russian empire was to weak and could not defend a British attack in Alaska. It was a good decision of selling it, getting the money and not having a chance of loosing it to Britain their enemy.

Russia did not have the people to support to start town in alaska, and most people came for the fur then left. Russia also needed the money for there war. And like america because it ally with america.

1 upvote= $1

I think Russia made a good decision because Amerca has benefited madly from resources, and it was kinda cheap, but it also helped them get out of debt, and still reaped the reward of animal skins

I believe Russia made a good decision by selling Alaska to the US because Russia did not have the time and money to start a great civilization while they were at war with the British. Not only did they get the money they needed to support them, they gave the US a great advantage to expand and start a civilization in the west. In the long run, the US found a great number of supplies and resources to make money and a living, it also gave us a tactical advantage. In the cold war, Russia would have been a lot closer to America, which would have more than likely sparked a great war. Although there are some disadvantages for Russia, i still believe in the long run, it was a good idea to sell Alaska to the US.

I personally don’t think Russia made a good decision but I also don’t have an opinion so they did a goo

It gave America more land to build off of and new/more resources to find.

I think that the Russians did the right thing by selling Alaska. Because the Russians needed more money and they did not need Alaska. So it was an easy buy for the Americans.

Yes because there are various reasons

1)To get more money to benefit themselves because the Russians were in debt so why pass up a 7.2 mil deal?

2)The Russians exploited a lot of their resources

3)Afraid of other countries trying to take Alaska

I think they sold it for a good cost. If they didnt sell Alaska wouldnt be here today they made a good desision

Russia made a good decision saling Alaska to America. Alaska have a lot of resources and America need the Alaska resources. For example the oil and the mine resources and more.

There are many reasons on why Russia sold Alaska. First of all there was conflict rising in Russia between England and France, to the point Russia was concerned about Alaska being "taken" from them. Second of all due to this conflict, the Russia funding was drying up, they need "fast" cash.

I think Russia was lazy to do work and use resources and they just didn’t wanna do it so they sold it el o el

so hard to decide whether or not if we didnt get sold to the united states then we would still be under russia? Damn. idk. but, i also wouldn;t really want to be under americas control either. i just wish we were left the eff alone? it is a hard question to answer. or argue. sorry mr won.

I think they did make a good decision on selling Alaska because they did lose a war, and they got more opportunities to explore Alaska, do new things, and have new opportunities to do things here in Alaska such as; trade, sell, fishing, etc. Alaska also needed the money and also needed to stay in good terms with the U.S

Russia made a good decision in selling Alaska. They sold Alaska because they thought it was just barren land or didn't have any info on it.

It was a good decision, no questions asked. If Russia didn't sell Alaska, then we would've lost a lot of lives due to the Japanese air raids coming from the North. Due to Russia's forces being spread thin, the Japanese had attempted to 'backdoor' the U.S through the Aleutian chain, but because there were naval bases stationed all throughout Alaska, the Japanese never had a chance to get through. If you disagree with me, you're wrong.

I think Russia made a good choice because at the time, it was their best option. They needed money to come back from the loss in Crimean war and ensure that Great Britain wouldn’t seize Alaska if they were to go to war again. By selling Alaska to the US, it insured that Great Britain wouldn’t gain control of Alaska from Russia, and with the extra money, they were able to expand west which was their main focus.

Russia made a good decision because they needed money and america have lots of money