THE RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN AMERICA
Written
by Marco Ramerini
The
Russian explorers reached the Pacific throught Siberia in 1639. The Tsar sent later two
expeditions in 1728 and 1741 under the command of Vitus Bering and Alexei Chorikov, they
discovered the Aleutian islands and Alaska. A profitable fur trade was established,
Russian temporary settlements in the Aleutians and on Unalaska island began in 1770s. the
first permanent outpost was built in 1784 at Three Saints Bay on Kodiak island by Gregorii
Shelikhov. From there the mainland was explored, and other
fur-trade centers were established. In 1786, Shelekhov set out for Russia, unsuccessfully
seeking a grant to his company of monopoly of the fur trade. Shelekhov's company was the
nucleus for the Russian American Company, which was formed several years after his death. By the early 1800s. Russian were
exporting an average of 62000 fur pelts from North America. The first Russian Orthodox missionaries
came to Alaska in 1794.
Map of the Russian settlements in America.
Deatailed map of some Russian settlements
in Alaska.
In 1791,
Alexander Baranof was appointed to manage Alaska trading operations, Shelikhov hired him
to direct activities in North America. One of Baranov's first acts was to move Shelikhov's
settlement in Kodiak island to St. Paul harbor, the present location of Kodiak City. In
1799 the new Russian American Company named him the first chief manager, and the tsar
named him the first governor of Russian America. Baranof serves the company from 1799
until 1818. Tsar Paul I, in 1799, chartered the
Russian-American Company. The Company was authorized to use, explore, colonize the costal
areas of North America south to 55° north latitude. In 1799 the Company founded a
permanent base, called New Archangel, in Sitka island, this base was the main headquarters
of the Company in America, New Archangel was destroyed in 1802, Tlingits indians attacked
the Russian fort and massacred most of the Russians and Aleut workers there. The Tlingits
killed 20 Russians and up to 130 Aleuts. Baranof rebuilt the settlement in 1804.
Fort Ross was established in 1812 by the Russian-American Company as an outpost for sea
otter hunters and a permanent trade base. Later, as part of the Russian settlements on the
coast, an outpost was established in Bodega Bay. The company controlled all Russian
trade and settlements in North America, it had outposts in Alaska, Aleutian and Kurile
Islands and also a temporary settlement in the Hawaii.
Fort Ross, State Historic Park, California
Fort Ross (named from Rossiia) was the southernmost outpost of the Russian
presence in North America. The Russians remained at Fort Ross until the year 1841.
Today none of the original fort structures remain, however several buildings have been
reconstructed: the first Russian Orthodox chapel south of Alaska, the stockade, and three
other buildings, including the Commander’s House, which contains exhibits of the
Russian-American Fur Company and the Russian occupation.
Fort Ross, State Historic Park, California
The Russian presence in Alaska lasted more
years. Around 1840s. Russian
Orthodox Diocese was established for Alaska. Russian liturgy given in Alaska Native
languages. Russians begin establishing missionary schools and churches. In 1861 the capital
of the colony had 2500 people, the Russian church in Alaska had 12000 adherents, 43
communities, 35 chapels and 9 churches.
U.S. Secretary of State William Seward negotiates the purchase of Alaska for $7.2
million. Treaty was signed on 30 March 1867. Transfer occurs on 18 October 1867.
“Carte
Geographique, Statistique Et Historique Des Possessions Russes”
Paris 1825. The map shows Alaska when it was administered by the Russian-America Company.
From “Atlas Geographique”
published by J.Carez in 1825 in Paris.
Bibliography:
AA.VV.
"Outpost of an Empire. Fort Ross: the Russian colony in California" 1993,
California, USA.
AA.VV. "A walking tour of the compound
at Fortresses Ross" 1992, Fort Ross State Historic Park, California, USA.
Black, Lydia T. "Russians in Alaska,
1732-1867" 2004, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Chevigny Hector "Russian America. The
Alaskan venture, 1741-1867" 1998, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Essing, Ogden, DuFour "Fort Ross.
California outpost of Russian Alaska, 1812-1841" 1991, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.
