Module IV: Russian America

Essential Question:
What is the legacy of the Russian colonization of Alaska?

The Russian's legacy in Alaska can be seen in various forms.

Iron

The introduction of new tools and technology helped with every day tasks, and introduced new ideas to adopt.  The use of larger farm animals can be beneficial in pulling larger sleighs and wagons, in comparison to the use of dogs. Iron and other metals brought to Alaska were prized for trading and making tools.

Russia left a footprint in Alaska by establishing its first library and museums, as well as introducing Russian Orthodoxy. Some of the religious books were further translated into native languages.

Alaska, Russian-American Company Site,
Sitka 1805Image courtesy Alaska Library

The Russian American Company controlled the trading within Alaska's posts and internationally.The natives, however, had a trying relationship with the RAC, since they were the ones doing the hunting and trapping. Too often, prices and exchanges were unfair. Furthermore, the RAC helped gain the support needed to run the facilities in Russian America, such as schools, medical facilities, and churches.

 

Russian copy of the Treaty of Cession, March 30, 1867
Courtesy of the National Archives

Colonization brought many hardships to the Alaska Native groups. Diseases and illnesses swept through villages. Children were kept hostage in order to get desired results from family and/or village. Resources once readily available in areas were now meager.  Disputes between the settlers and the natives were a vicious cycle that ended with numerous deaths and destruction of ships, villages, forts, etc.

Once Russia realized that they were nearing bankruptcy and wouldn't be able protect their lands, they decided to sell.  The United States purchased Alaska for $7.2 million in 1867. Some native groups were upset with the event since it was never the Russian's land to sell.




Examine Question:
Why were Russians interested in Alaska?

A 1794 drawing of the Russian fur trading settlement on Kodiak.

Russian interest in the state of Alaska was explained by the determination of countries to expand their lands and power. Peter the Great was one of the individuals who strived for this imperialistic control, extending from parts of Europe to China's waters. Coastal ports were then able to house the construction of the ships that would travel across to explore new lands. Peter made sure to select individuals that could carry out his exploration plans after he passed in 1725.

The 1720's and early 1740s were listed as the main starting points where Russians explored Alaskan lands and crossed paths with the natives. In 1741, Georg Steller traveled as a naturalist with Vitus Bering's  expedition to Alaska. Stellar had a different approach as a naturalist, versus 'we come and we conquer'. According to the Alaska History course website, he was interested in the plants, animals, land features (ice pack), and how the various elements work together. It was interesting to learn that both the Steller Jay and Steller Sea Lion received their names through his research, among several other animals that can be seen through his link. (The Steller Sea Eagle is beautiful. I didn't know such a bird exists.)

Link

Alaska, Russian-American Company Sealskin Drying Station
Image courtesy Alaska Library

Other main interests included the resources available. Russian groups realized how the abundance of fury land and sea mammals could be very profitable. Pelts were traded and/or sold to other countries for big money or other resources. The Alaska Heritage mentioned how within a 56 year time frame, Russia left Alaska with about $6 million in pelts (187,000 pelts). When resources seemed so abundant, trading skyrocketed. Residents, trading posts, and other structures flocked to where the trade routes, ports, and resources were most readily available.   Unfortunately, once the resources were depleted or lacking in one area the groups would move to the next profitable site.


Extend Question:


It was really interesting reading the Russian American Reader.  I found the epidemic timeline eerie as it spans from the 1st epidemic of respiratory illnesses in 1791 to the last mentioned in the American Period, influenza and measles epidemic, where 25-50% of the population died. The reader also had a chart that separated the native population numbers into 4 geographical areas. Some numbers drastically dropped, while others greatly increased by the thousands. The site gave reasons for such fluctuations. Lastly, the documentations of communication between Alaska and Russia gives you an idea of how they perceived the exploration and their missions.

Evaluation: 
I had a little more difficulty this week because I didn't have the time I would've liked to really look over and explore additional information on the outside influences to Alaska. Lots of resources. Besides that, I did enjoy learning on this short, but significant section of history. I personally liked the Russian American Reader and its documentation examples.


Blog Comments:
Niki's blog was really easy on the eyes and to read. She did a great job with the use of photos and summing up this past week's module. I also like her used of hyperlinks back to assigned readings and to new information.

I enjoyed reading Joel's response in Module III in regards to defining culture. He brought up some very good points. I also liked reading about his experience in Toksook Bay.

I agree with Crystal's responses on culture and that there is not one thing that can define culture, it's a cluster of characteristics. Culture can be defined as broad or as narrow as we want to.