Module IV

Essential Question:
How is the experience of Russian America an example of 18th-19th century imperialism and colonialism?
As Russia reached land's end in it's eastern exploration, the country subsequently sought further provision of resources, specifically furs, as it continued eastward exploration. The article Russia's Colony: The Beginning of Exploration put it simply- "Making profit from newly acquired goods and preventing rival countries from gaining control of the supply sources of these goods became driving impulses for exploration." Thus as Russia advanced eastward and established its presence in what is present day Alaska,  Russia also claimed ownership of areas of present-day Alaska simply due to their own presence rather than a purchase or treaty of any kind. This is a direct example of imperialism which later resulted in the protests of the Tlingit and Haida when Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 as if they had bought it, which they hadn't. 


According to the Wikipedia definition, imperialism is marked by dominion and subordination within an unequal economic and territorial relationship. With this definition in place, it is clear that Russia was imperialistic in its pursuit of Russian America, as Russia claimed the land as it's own by declaring it so rather than seeking to equitably purchase the land that it was colonizing. 


The Russian townships in what is present-day Alaska include Sitka, Kodiak, Three Saints Bay, Karluk, Kasilof, Kenai and several others. Often the sites for such forts or towns were chosen strategically due to their location at the mouth of large rivers or bays, their proximity to natural resources and accessibility to ships. These forts or towns represented colonialism as Russia acted as the metropole, establishing it's presence and capitalizing on the natural resources and opportunities for trade within that region. 


Examine Question:
The Russian America Company: when was it founded and what were the terms of its operation?
The Russian America Company was founded in 1799 and had arisen out of a company that had originally been established by Gregorii Shelikov and Ivan Golikov. The RAC existed as a monopoly over trade and commerce in Alaska from the time of its commission through the sale of Russian America (Alaska) to the United States in 1867.


The Russian America Company was responsible for governance of the newly colonized areas from 55 degrees North latitude along the Northwest coast of North America to the Bering Straight, which included the making of treaties and marking of boundaries. However, the RAC's primary economic interest was in fur trade. Seals and sea otters were the most desired pelts and the RAC had trade relations with China, California and Chili and had worked toward establishing trade connections with Japan, Hawaii and Mexico at the time as well. As exploration and colonization grew the RAC maintained the right to acquire newly discovered land to the Russian Empire.


This is a map of Alaska at the time of the RAC's possession. According to the Library of Congress, the notations on this map denote the migratory and permanent locations of whales as well as the accounts of the Russia American Company circa 1852.


The RAC also financed the missionary and educational endeavors of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was largely due to the endeavors of Natalia Shelikov prior to the organization of the Russian American Company. This caused an intertwining of politics and religion within Russian America. The religious influence of the time period of the RAC has impacted Alaska greatly through the present day. These are photos of the Russian Orthodox church of Eklutna, Alaska built during the time of the RAC and as it stands in the present day.





Russian Orthodox Church Eklutna - 1846
courtesy alaskatraveladventures.org










Eklutna Russian Orthodox Church
courtesy 02varvara.wordpress.com


Evaluate:
I felt that I learned much from this module in respect to the Russian colonization of Alaska and the history of Alaska during the time prior to the gold rush era. I had previously known of William H. Seward and his infamy for "Seward's Folly" but did not know of all the other events and key players involved in Alaska at that time in history. Through this module I also discovered helpful links to the library of congress and to OurDocuments.com, which are great resources for the classroom.


Colleague Reviews
Claire presents the idea of culture being the story you were born into. I liked how the simplicity of this definition shows the multifaceted characteristics of what culture is - just as the setting into which a child is born has so many dimensions that existed long before that child's life began.


Gary provided a diagram on the definition of culture that clearly and succinctly explains the observable and non-observable characteristics of a culture. This diagram was helpful in explaining the not-so-obvious traits of a cultural group.


Joan provoked interesting thought on the point at which a person self-identifies as an Alaskan. Whether "born and raised," a southern "transplant" or one whose family moved here generations ago, the identity of an Alaskan seems to be both intrinsically and extrinsically identifiable according to the points she brings up.