Module IV - Russian America

Essential Question:

What was the nature of cultural contact between the Europeans of Russian America and the Natives of Alaska?

The Europeans of Russia began exploring the areas of Alaska having lasting impacts on the region. It is interesting to examine and explore the history of Alaska as we keep in mind cause and effect. It is important to also remember that Russian colonization took place over a period of time and was not one incident or an isolated event. The Europeans of Russian America came to Alaska for several reasons but the main reason was fur. The well kept records of the Russian explorers displays interesting insight of the explorers and their first impressions of the areas and the Native people they encountered.

http://vilda.alaska.edu/u?/cdmg11,11932
Territory ceded to US by Russia - UAF-G4370 1867 U551

The search for fur was the driving force behind Russian colonization. This colonization had a huge impact on the Natives in regions throughout Alaska. The largest impact was the effect of the various diseases that the Russians and other European explorers brought into the regions of Alaska. Many Natives perished because of these illnesses. Their delicate immune systems were not prepared to battle the diseases brought by the explorers.

From what I understand, many people are still being affected in an indirect way because of the Russian influences in Alaska. Because of the fur trade and over-harvesting of sea otters, laws were put into place to protect the species. I have listened to long-time citizens in my area discuss the impacts of these laws. Many now believe that because sea otters are protected they are rebounding with great force. It has been questioned whether the abalone populations have declined immensely because of the large populations of sea otters. Balance is again in question.

Examine Question:

What were the various economic ventures of the Russian America Company?

Fur trade was not the only economic venture of the Russian America Company. Many other business opportunities presented themselves as a result of the fur trade. Another example of cause and effect. Fur trading brought other economic ventures such as ship building, agriculture, hunting, fishing, mining, and manufacturing.


Agriculture became important due to the fact that the explorers needed food to in order to survive. As stated on the Alaska History and Cultural Studies website, the crops that were planted were wheat, barley, peas, beans, turnips, beets, mustard, parsnips, potatoes, and gourds. The first seasons crops were destroyed because of birds, mice, and flooding. It turned out that the best crops to raise in the area were barley, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes, rutabagas, and turnips. The island of Kodiak also witnessed attempts at cattle raising. At this time it was so difficult to obtain enough food for the cattle to eat over the winters that the efforts were abandoned. It is still possible to see effects of the attempts of the cattle raising today, as wild cattle still roam the island.

Ship building was an industry that began as a result of efforts from Alexander Baranov in 1793 at a location nearby the current area of Seward, Alaska. Local resources were used in the construction of the large ships. These ships became important for the development of the area. They were used to transport goods to and from Russian America. Eventually ships were being purchased from the United States because they lasted longer due to the fact that they were built from harder lumber which led to the disappearance of the industry in Alaska.

Fishing and whaling also helped the progression of settlements. In the beginning fishing and whaling helped sustain the inhabitants of the regions of Alaska but eventually the people were able to harvest enough to begin trading and transporting it back to Russia.

Manufacturing of bricks and ice were other attempts at economic endeavors. Neither lasted long. It was less expensive for bricks to be purchased from Canadian regions and the demand for ice diminished. With no market for either item, production ceased.

A great deal of effort was put into coal mining but proved to be without profit. There were many reasons for the mining attempt failure. It turned out that purchasing coal was less expensive from other sites which effected demand for the coal in Alaska. The decision to close the mine came after a fire damaged the site.

It is apparent that all economic endeavors developed from a legitimate need for goods that would help people prosper in the land. Little physical evidence exists in Alaska from the economic attempts of the Russians.

Evaluate:

Again, I found the content of this weeks module fascinating. I am enjoying learning new things about Alaska that I had not known before. I knew little about the economic endeavors pursued by the Russians in the Alaska territory. My struggle continues to lie in blogging. I am struggling with the format of my blog. I need to spend some time on YouTube trying to figure out how to get web pictures in my blog and have them look appropriate. The blogging is taking me more time than I had anticipated.

Colleague Reviews for Module III

Holly Cervin expressed her concern for the loss of Native culture specifically in the Tlingit culture. I have had discussions with many Natives in my area that express the same concerns and are actively trying to preserve their culture.

Joel Moorman shared some interesting personal experiences that helped me better understand the culture in Toksook Bay.

Joan Walser expressed some interesting insight on what being "Alaskan" means and brought up the question of whether there is a point when a person becomes a true "Alaskan" or is it more of an evolution to "Alaskan". I will keep thinking on the idea.