Pacific Islands and Russian America: Lost Russian Colonies
There is a claim that the Russian Empire never owned colonies. If only overseas territories are considered as such, then this statement is close to the truth. Russia could become a real colonial power, but for various reasons this did not happen. In the past, our country had the opportunity to own territories on different continents, but they were not realized.
Russian America
When they talk about Russian colonies, the first thing they remember is Alaska. Indeed, once this territory belonged to Russia. But it would be fairer to talk not about Alaska, but about Russian possessions on the American continent. After all, our country owned not only Alaska, but also territories in California. The plans were the development of the entire modern west coast of the United States. But, for example, the lands in the current state of Washington, in the area where Seattle is now located, were the first to capture the Americans.
Many people remember the Russian fortress Fort Ross in California by the musical "Juno and Avos," which takes place in these places. These possessions were sold to the Mexicans, since Russia could not control them.
There was also the opportunity to own the island of Tobago in the Caribbean. Previously, it belonged to Courland, a small Baltic duchy. Courland, in order to keep up with European fashion, also acquired colonies. One of them was the island of Tobago, and the second was the island of St. Andrew off the African coast. After the duchy of Courland entered the Russian Empire, these islands were also supposed to become Russian. But shortly before that, Courland gave them to Britain as collateral for loans received.
Although it is believed that Russia sold Alaska, in fact, it gave it away for free. A vessel with gold intended for payment for Alaska sank on the way from London to St. Petersburg, and the insurance company in which the cargo was insured hastily declared bankrupt. There are suspicions that this was a fraud, and there was no gold on the ship.
Northern Iran
After many years of the Northern War with Sweden, Peter the Great undertook a campaign against Persia, modern Iran. The campaign was successful. It was possible to capture Dagestan, Azerbaijan and the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, which today belongs to Iran. But after the death of Peter the Great, the territories of Northern Persia were returned without any compensation, since their retention was considered an onerous occupation.
Much later, in 1920, the Persian Soviet Republic arose on these lands, having existed for a year.
Pacific Islands
According to international laws, the country that first discovered an island could set its flag there and declare its property. Russian sailors discovered many islands in the Pacific Ocean, but policy The Russian Empire did not aim at acquiring overseas territories.
After the annexation of Siberia and the Far East, the country had no need for additional territories or natural resources. To hold on to what is.
But the local governor of the Hawaiian Islands, the leader of Kameamea, turned to our country with a request to go under the auspices of Russia. And the famous Russian traveler and discoverer Miklouho-Maclay, who described in detail the northern coast of New Guinea, petitioned for this territory to join the Russian Empire, but it was rejected.
The Bosporus and Dardanelles
In 1916, a secret agreement was signed between Russia, England and France on the division of the Ottoman Empire, which was an ally of Germany in the First World War. Under the agreement, the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean were supposed to depart to Russia. In addition, Eastern Anatolia, which is also called Western Armenia, with access to the Mediterranean Sea would leave for it.
But in Russia there was a revolution that brought the country out of the number of participants and winners in the First World War, so we did not get the straits.
And we need it?
One famous Soviet song sings: "I don’t need the Turkish coast, and I don’t need Africa." And there is. Well, the role of a colonialist does not fit the Russian man. Our values are not based on that.
By its size, Russia is the largest state in the world. We have rich natural resources and a talented population. It's enough.
We do not plan conquests, but we do not give our lands to anyone. And if conquerors come to us, they get what they deserve.
Fort Ross
Russian America
When they talk about Russian colonies, the first thing they remember is Alaska. Indeed, once this territory belonged to Russia. But it would be fairer to talk not about Alaska, but about Russian possessions on the American continent. After all, our country owned not only Alaska, but also territories in California. The plans were the development of the entire modern west coast of the United States. But, for example, the lands in the current state of Washington, in the area where Seattle is now located, were the first to capture the Americans.
Many people remember the Russian fortress Fort Ross in California by the musical "Juno and Avos," which takes place in these places. These possessions were sold to the Mexicans, since Russia could not control them.
There was also the opportunity to own the island of Tobago in the Caribbean. Previously, it belonged to Courland, a small Baltic duchy. Courland, in order to keep up with European fashion, also acquired colonies. One of them was the island of Tobago, and the second was the island of St. Andrew off the African coast. After the duchy of Courland entered the Russian Empire, these islands were also supposed to become Russian. But shortly before that, Courland gave them to Britain as collateral for loans received.
Although it is believed that Russia sold Alaska, in fact, it gave it away for free. A vessel with gold intended for payment for Alaska sank on the way from London to St. Petersburg, and the insurance company in which the cargo was insured hastily declared bankrupt. There are suspicions that this was a fraud, and there was no gold on the ship.
Northern Iran
After many years of the Northern War with Sweden, Peter the Great undertook a campaign against Persia, modern Iran. The campaign was successful. It was possible to capture Dagestan, Azerbaijan and the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, which today belongs to Iran. But after the death of Peter the Great, the territories of Northern Persia were returned without any compensation, since their retention was considered an onerous occupation.
Much later, in 1920, the Persian Soviet Republic arose on these lands, having existed for a year.
Pacific Islands
According to international laws, the country that first discovered an island could set its flag there and declare its property. Russian sailors discovered many islands in the Pacific Ocean, but policy The Russian Empire did not aim at acquiring overseas territories.
After the annexation of Siberia and the Far East, the country had no need for additional territories or natural resources. To hold on to what is.
But the local governor of the Hawaiian Islands, the leader of Kameamea, turned to our country with a request to go under the auspices of Russia. And the famous Russian traveler and discoverer Miklouho-Maclay, who described in detail the northern coast of New Guinea, petitioned for this territory to join the Russian Empire, but it was rejected.
The Bosporus and Dardanelles
In 1916, a secret agreement was signed between Russia, England and France on the division of the Ottoman Empire, which was an ally of Germany in the First World War. Under the agreement, the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean were supposed to depart to Russia. In addition, Eastern Anatolia, which is also called Western Armenia, with access to the Mediterranean Sea would leave for it.
But in Russia there was a revolution that brought the country out of the number of participants and winners in the First World War, so we did not get the straits.
And we need it?
One famous Soviet song sings: "I don’t need the Turkish coast, and I don’t need Africa." And there is. Well, the role of a colonialist does not fit the Russian man. Our values are not based on that.
By its size, Russia is the largest state in the world. We have rich natural resources and a talented population. It's enough.
We do not plan conquests, but we do not give our lands to anyone. And if conquerors come to us, they get what they deserve.
Information