First Permanent Russian Colony in Alaska
The First Permanent Russian Colony in Alaska was established on August 14, 1784, on Kodiak Island by Grigori Shelekhov, a fur trader. This colony marked Russia's ongoing interest in Alaska, which had begun in the early 18th century following explorations led by Danish navigator Vitus Bering. Bering's voyages clarified the geographical separation of Asia and North America and sparked further interest in the region, particularly due to its rich seal populations, which promised lucrative fur trade opportunities. The settlement at Three Saints Bay turned into a thriving community and served as a springboard for additional Russian colonization and exploration along Alaska's coast. However, by the mid-19th century, overharvesting led to the decline of seal populations, diminishing Russia's economic interest in Alaska. Subsequently, Russia opted to sell Alaska to the United States in 1867, aiming to refocus its resources on Asian territories and counter British influence in the North Pacific. This sale marked a significant transition in the geopolitical landscape of North America.
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First Permanent Russian Colony in Alaska
First Permanent Russian Colony in Alaska
On Kodiak Island, off the southern coast of Alaska, Russia founded its first permanent colony in North America on August 14, 1784.
Russia had been interested in Alaska ever since the early 18th century. In 1725 Russian czar Peter the Great commissioned the Danish navigator Vitus Bering to determine whether Asia was separated from North America or whether they both were one continuous land mass. Preparations were lengthy, and Bering did not sail until 1728. On that first voyage, he discovered that the two continents were divided by what is now called the Bering Strait. Bering found some islands but did not see the Alaskan mainland until 1741, during his second voyage. Interest in further exploration was sparked by accounts of the vast wealth of furs to be had from the large herds of seals in the region.
Although seal hunters and other adventurers had already been present in the region for decades, it was not until 1784 that the first permanent Russian colony was established. This was done on August 14 by Grigori Shelekhov, a fur trader who founded the Three Saints Bay settlement on Kodiak Island. He brought several hundred men with him, and it became a thriving colony as well as a gateway for further exploration of Alaska.
The Russians went on to establish many other colonies, trading posts, and settlements along Alaska's lengthy coastline. However, by the mid-19th century the seal herds had been decimated by overharvesting and the Russians had only limited interest in other possibilities for exploitation. Russia was more interested in the Asian portion of the North Pacific and decided to sell Alaska to the United States so that it could concentrate its resources on Asia and bring in the Americans as a counterweight to the British presence in the North Pacific based in Canada. The expansionist United States eventually agreed, although the transaction was not complete until 1867, after the American Civil War.