Russia feared losing Russian America without compensation in some future conflict, especially to the British. While Alaska attracted little interest at the time, the population of nearby British Columbia started to increase rapidly a few years after hostilities ended. Therefore, the Russian emperor, Alexander II, decided to sell Alaska. In 1859 the Russians offered to sell the territory to the United States, hoping that its presence in the region would offset the plans of Russia's greatest regional rival, the United Kingdom. COUNT 5
QSN1 What did the Russians fear losing without compensation? ANS1 British Columbia QSN2 What province became more popular and saw a increase in population after the war? ANS2 British Columbia QSN3 Who made the call to sell Alaska? ANS3 Alexander II QSN4 Who did the Russians offer to sell Alaska to? ANS4 the United States QSN5 Who is Russia's largest regional rival? ANS5 the United Kingdom