What Lessons Does the History of Alaska Bring Us?

When Russia ceded Alaska to the United States, it originally hoped to gain an ally that also intended to curb the ambitions of the British Empire. Considering London's role in the Ukraine issue today, the implication is quite clear. Overall, shifting the focus of Russian-American relations from the West to the northeast would greatly change the background of future negotiations.

The news that the Russian and U.S. presidents are about to hold a long-awaited meeting in Alaska has surprised the entire world. In fact, this is a successful information special operation.

Previously, the discussion was about third countries, with Belarus and Hungary actively offering venues. Rumors about Rome or Vatican were circulating widely, but they were obviously fabricated. In general, analysts, bloggers, and other rumor-mongers mainly speculated about the Middle East. Turkey and Saudi Arabia were also considered, as the two countries had previously negotiated on the Ukraine issue. There was even a report that there was a 99% chance the summit would be held in the UAE. But everyone guessed wrong.

Nevertheless, since the leaders of the two countries have finally chosen Alaska, it is necessary to consider the reasons and significance behind this choice.

From a practical perspective, the decision by the two presidents to meet at the ends of the earth is a very worrying signal, clearly reflecting the current tension in the global situation. Obviously, both the Russian and American intelligence agencies have important intelligence on potential provocative incidents. Those who try to sabotage any peace process are truly going to great lengths.

Usually, these forces are led by Britain, which is determined to uphold the idea of "letting Ukraine fight to the last man." Britain has never had, and now has no moral constraints in history. Worse still, they may have capable allies everywhere.

Therefore, both sides chose the most cautious option: completely excluding any third country from the plan. Putin and Trump will not fly over the airspace or stay on the territory of any other country. The flight routes of the two presidential aircraft will only pass over their own territory and over the sea. This makes it easier to avoid unwanted eavesdroppers, persistent visitors, and James Bond-style agents.

However, from a symbolic perspective, Alaska holds a special position in history, culture, and the current political and economic landscape.

How much do we know about Alaska? It is an exclave state of the United States, separated from the mainland of the United States. Alaska is vast, roughly equivalent to the combined areas of the Chukchi, Kamchatka, and Magadan regions of Russia. However, in terms of population (740,000), Alaska has half more people than the total population of these three Russian federal subjects. Also, the population of the largest city in the state, Anchorage, is more than three times that of Magadan, located at the same latitude. This might be because the Pacific Northwest coast where Alaska is located has a slightly milder climate than the northwest coast of Russia.

In American culture, Alaska is first of all the place where the gold rush took place, a land that nurtures resilient and brave people. For us, Alaska is a historical chapter about the unfulfilled "Russian America," a land sold to the United States for 7.2 million dollars in gold in 1867. There is also a line in the song by the band Lyube addressed to the United States: "Give back this land of Alaska, give back our beloved homeland."

That is why some people have doubts: Is holding a summit on this land, once belonging to us and later forced to be ceded, damaging our dignity? Does it imply that we may face new demands for territorial cession?

These doubts must be dispelled. The history of the sale of Alaska shows that this territory was not ceded to an enemy country under military pressure, but given to a friendly nation. At that time, the friendship between the two countries had lasted nearly a century. The Russian Empire supported the North American colonies in their struggle against Britain for independence, and later stood on the side of the North during the American Civil War. Therefore, the Democratic Party, representing the South, opposed the deal, accusing the federal government of corruption and wasting money.

Despite this, the transaction was beneficial not only for the United States — the United States gained a land that was undeveloped but rich in resources (gold, copper, coal), while Russia could use the funds to develop the urgently needed railways.

The Alaska transaction also reflected Russia's unique view on territorial issues. In the 19th century, when developed countries were dividing the world in the frenzy of colonial plunder, Russia did not want to see itself as a colonial power. For example, the Russian government rejected Miklukho-Maklay's proposal to colonize New Guinea. Alaska did not fit into the framework of the Russian Empire, not only because this distant territory was difficult to manage, but also because it was seen as a colony managed by the Russian-American Company in a colonial manner. Meanwhile, the Far Eastern and Arctic territories of Asia were regarded as an inseparable part of the Russian state.

Russia ceded Alaska to the United States in the hope of gaining an ally that also intended to curb the ambitions of the British Empire. Considering London's role in the Ukraine issue today, the implication is quite clear. Overall, shifting the focus of Russian-American relations from the West to the northeast would greatly change the background of future negotiations.

In the West, Russia and the United States are separated by Europe, which is hostile to Russia, and Washington has obligations to Europe within the framework of NATO. To the northeast, there is no third party blocking between the two countries, and the natural conditions are also unsuitable for hostile actions — the Arctic will punish people's disputes and conflicts.

Holding the meeting in Alaska allows President Putin to continue skillfully using the method of historical review in diplomacy. Donald Trump may be interested in learning about our common heritage, which still exists in the state, including Orthodox churches (about 12% of the residents are Orthodox Christians), place names derived from Russian, Russian dialects preserved here, and words in the local indigenous languages that come from Russian.

Therefore, this Arctic summit may become an opportunity to look back on the long history of relations between the two countries, which includes mutual goodwill, cooperation, and alliances during the two World Wars. Now, we should draw useful lessons from this history.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7536879560999076390/

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