Several American administration had tried to make Canada part of the
United States, the Canadians were strongly opposed to this idea. Alaska
being north of Canada was seen by some as a way to checking English control
of North America. If the Americans could control Alaska, England would
be checkmated from further expansion in North America. The Americans did
not want the English controlling Alaska and many hoped to acquire Alaska
as a territory.
Many Russians saw Alaska as not worth keeping. as it cost more to keep
than it produced. The first attempt to sell Alaska was in 1854. With the
Crimean War almost a certainty, the Russian American Company tried to sell
Alaska temporarily for a period of three years. The Treaty was drawn up
but it had no legal standing and was declared invalid. The American Civil
war had
focused the American attention back to the United States. In the fall
of 1866 the Russian again tried to sell Alaska. The Czar had given his
blessing to sell Alaska. Baron Edouard de Stoeckl was instructed to sell
Alaska for five million dollars or more. He returned to Washington and
contacted Secretary of State William Henry Seward. Seward was an expansionist
and liked the idea and so he pushed the idea of buying Alaska. On March
15 he raised the idea at a cabinet meeting and President Andrew Johnson
was supportive of the idea.
Seward and Stoeckl negotiated the terms of the of the sale. A price
of seven million two hundred thousand dollars was agree on. Congress was
to adjoin the next day, so the treaty had to be submitted before the Congress
adjourned. Seward had the forsight to invite Senator Charles Sumner to
the negotiations to assure Senate approval. It was signed at 4 A.M. on
March 30
and sent to the Senate a few hours later. President Johnson called
a Special Session and Senator Sumner pushed for the treaty and it was approved
thirty seven to two.
The transfer of sovereignty happened at Sitka on October 18, 1867. It
still remained for the House of Representatives to approve the payment
to Russia. On July 14, 1868 the House voted 113 to 43 with 44 members not
voting. So now Alaska was an American territory. Americans soon lost interest
in Alaska and Congress did not enact any government for the new territory.
The Army garrison at Sitka acted as the government till 1877. In 1884 Congress
passed an Organic Act for Alaska, establishing civilian government in Alaska.
It was not giving full territory status until 1912.
Sources
"Alaska a History of the 49th State" Claus M Naske and Herman E Slotnick
"History of the Gateway City" Mary J Barry
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