Module IV

How is the experience of Russian America an example of 18th-19th century imperialism and colonialism?

There are so many aspects of the Russian imperialism, colonialism, occupation that I wanted to look at an unique one that took place in my region.  There is an excellent book called Looking Both Ways, that discusses the history of the Alutiiq people. This population one of the first that had contact with the Russians and most of the trading posts were set up in their homelands.

A creole priest from Aleutian Islands, Peter Dobrovolskii

I learned of a unique part of history, that was the establishment of a Creole class.   Many Russian hunters married into the Native communities. A Creole class was established which included "descendants of these marriages and others who were assimilated into the Russian culture without a direct family relationship." In Paul's Harbor, Russia or Sitka, some Creoles were educated and trained. They served as clerks, navigators and managers basically an "in between" class.  They also were instrumental in helping others to Russian literacy.

The Russians also used the Creoles as a portable population. St. Paul Harbor, Afognak, and Spruce Islands saw Creole families settling there in the 1830's. In the late 1830's, a smallpox epidemic wiped out a good percentage of the people. In the 1840's, the Russian company located some Russian and Creole retirees at Ninilchik on Cook Inlet. There was further relocation after the epidemic in the 1840's, mainly to places near the Russian posts.

By establishing a population that they could “trust” and one that was dependent on them they were better able to manage their business on the edges of the frontier.  This also had a lasting impact on the native culture here in SE Alaska where I teach Vlassoffs, Totemoffs etc.

What other nations demonstrated an interest in Alaska?  Why?

Russia was not the only country interested in Alaska, Britain its political rival at times also had designs on the area.  Discovered for the British in 1778  by Captain James Cook the famous explore who could also claim to have “found” Hawaii, Australia, and many other Pacific territories. His reason for exploring the region was twofold. One reason was to discover a possible northern passage to China in the hopes of expanding trade. He tried unsuccessfully to enter the Bering Strait several times and travel farther north. So he headed South back to Hawaii where he upset some locals and died as a result. The second reason for his Alaskan adventures was to help establish British claim on the west coast of North America. During this period just looking at an area could increase your “legal” right over a territory.  His maps of the area would also allow England to follow up with forts and trading posts. Most of the trading posts that Britain established were in the interior due to successful trade routs through Canada.

Spanish Names and contact points in Alaska

Britain and Russia was not the only European country interested in Alaska. Spain not to be out done by its rivals attempted to establish it only control by moving up the coast from the California area where it had missions. When the Pope finally resolved the dispute between Spain and Portugal in 1493 it gave Spain all of the territories west of Brazil.  Now no country was really following this Papal Bull by the 18^th century but Spain sure wanted people to. So not to be out done the Spanish king sent many different expeditions throughout the lower part of Alaska. Most of the expeditions just mapped the area looked for the Northwest Passage but some did come in contact with the Russian trading posts.  All the interactions were peaceful and in the end Spain realized that an Alaska colony was nonstarter so left and ceded its claim on the area to the United States in 1819.

See if there is one or more maps or images you'd like to post on your blog.  

 

Early Map of North and South America  http://vilda.alaska.edu

The reason that I picked this first map is that I am always amazed to think that people would sail out into the unknown with maybe a map as basic as this and hope to come back.  They would go out and fill in those blank spaces.  Maybe strike it rich or go down in history but the majority would remain unknown.

English map of Russian voyages. http://vilda.alaska.edu

I chose this one with thought this was great propaganda for the Russians.  Here is a map printed in English showing where their explorers have gone and what area they have claimed.  The other thought that I had is how detailed it is.  All done by hand and with none of the modern recording technologies.

Others Blogs

Educational Exploration in AK 

This site did an exceptional job of explaining culture.  I like the parts about resistance and Assimilation. These sections fit right in with this weeks module on Russian influence. One has to ask yourself what would I do in that situation.  I would like to say that I would resist but what are the other options?

 Learn Alaska or Bust

A very good description of what Alaskan culture is.  I am myself and part of the skin according to his 3 branches.  He did well in compressing all of the different aspects of Alaska in to a easily readable format.

Exploring Alaska's Cultures

 I agreed on her take on what her culture was.  I liked the part of work ethic being something that she identifies with.  That was something that I found was different in the village.

Reflections

This subject was a very important one for my community due to the large amount of contact that the Russians had with them. The resources that were provide did a good job of painting the whole era.  I like the links to the maps and have spent a lot of time looking around the digital archives.  Now that I have a few weeks under my belt with this blogging thing I think that I am getting better at it.  Will I every want to blog for fun? No! 

Ok update I have been trying to upload this for an hour now.  I have a flight and I HATE this stupid program.   I