why did russia sell alaska to the americans for seven million dollars?

Answer 1

The only economic significance of Alaska to the Russians was the fur trade, in particular the trade in sea otter pelts. It had always been a very, very marginal effort and not a very successful one. By 1867 the sea otter populations had long collapsed and the Russian fur trading company long eclipsed by the activities of the Hudson's Bay Company. The Russians were glad to have the territory taken off their hands.

Answer 2

1. Russia was in a definite financial position and desperately needed funds
2. The area was very hard to defend and money could no longer be defended adequately
3. The British were hard on their heels in the area and Russia decided to sell it before receiving no compensation if they had lost it in a treaty
4. Alexander II saw no appreciable assets other than for fur
5. Selling it to the US would keep the British in check because of our nearness to the region and Canada received independence shortly thereafter on July 1,1867
6. Seward's folly it was called was before gold and other natural resources were discovered on March 30,1867

Answer 3

For the money??? (besides they did not care fore that) it was to far away and looked just as what they had on the other side of the Bering sea.

Answer 4

Because they wanted 7,000,000 dollars.

Love and blessings Don