Summary of Why RUSSIA had to sell ALASKA to the UNITED STATES? - Were they allies or enemies?

00:00:00 - 00:05:00

The video provides an overview of the history of Alaska and explains the various reasons why Russia sold it to the United States in 1867. It also discusses the current state of Alaska's economy and how it is struggling due to declining oil production.

• 00:00:00 The video discusses why Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. Many reasons are given, including the fact that early Russian traders were attracted to the area's walrus ivory and sea otter pelts, and the colony was too vast and remote to be defended by Russia. Additionally, Russia realized that they were not in a position to defend Alaska if their enemy, the United Kingdom, attempted to attack. Finally, the United States and Russia were allies at the time, and the sale would weaken the power of the United Kingdom on the Pacific Coast.
• 00:05:00 The video explains why the United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867. The area's strategic value increased during World War II and the Cold War because of its proximity to the Soviet Union. However, Alaska's main income comes from oil production, which has been declining in recent decades. The state of Alaska has a permanent deficit of over 1 billion dollars, and oil no longer pays most of the state's bills. The video also explains that Alaska has an advantage over other states because of a law that requires at least 25 percent of oil production revenues to go into a permanent investment fund.