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Russia has had a policy of expansion for hundreds of years. This expansion was markedly increased under Peter I (The Great), and Catherine II (The Great) especially.

Vitus Bering undertook an expedition on behalf of the Russian Navy in 1741 and made the first European contact with Alaska. He brought high quality sea otter pelts back to Russia with him. This started a rush from Siberia towards Alaska resulting in a permanent European (Russian) settlement in 1784.

Due to the fur trade not being as profitable as anticipated, Russia did not fully colonise Alaska, resulting in the Alaskan purchase by the USA in 1867.

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βˆ™ 14y ago
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βˆ™ 13y ago

Because Russia is no more than 50 miles away from the northeastern tip of Alaska. Alaska was originally a territory of Russia because of the short distance.

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Q: How did Russia come to own Alaska?
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