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Alaska's history is a tale of exploration, exploitation, and eventual statehood. The story begins in 1741 when Captain Vitus Bering, a Danish navigator, landed on the Alaskan islands, sparking the interest of the world in this vast and untamed land. The Russians were the first to establish a presence in Alaska, with the founding of the first white settlement on Kodiac Island in 1784. Russian hunters and traders flocked to Alaska in search of valuable furs, leading to the establishment of the Russian-American Company in 1799, a trading firm that would govern Alaska for the next sixty-eight years.
Under the leadership of Alexander Baranof, the Russian-American Company thrived, but after his departure in 1817, the company began to decline.
Naval officers took over the company, but lacked the business acumen of Baranof, and faced stiff competition from American, Canadian, and British traders.
The over-hunting of fur-bearing animals further exacerbated the company's woes, leading to its eventual demise.
In 1824 and 1825, Russia signed treaties with Britain and the United States, establishing the southern boundary of Russian territory in America at latitude 54 degrees 40'.
These treaties also granted trading rights to Britain and the United States along Alaska's Pacific coast, opening up the region to increased commerce and exploration.
By the 1850s, the Russian-American Company had lost interest in trade, as the Russian government had taken control of much of its operations.
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The Crimean War further strained Russia's resources, leading to the decision to sell Alaska to the United States.
Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million in 1867, a deal that was met with both support and opposition in the United States. Despite the controversy, Congress approved the purchase, and on October 18, 1867, the U.S. flag was raised in Sitka, marking the transfer of Alaska to American control.
For the next seventeen years, Alaska was administered by various government departments, with little attention paid to the unique challenges facing the territory. It wasn't until 1884 that Congress passed the first Organic Act, establishing Alaska as a "civil and judicial district" and providing for a federal court and a code of laws. However, these laws were borrowed from Oregon and did not fully address the needs of Alaska's diverse population and rugged landscape.
In 1912, Congress took a significant step towards recognizing Alaska's distinct identity by establishing it as a U.S. territory. Finally, on January 3, 1959, Alaska achieved statehood, becoming the 49th state of the United States.
Throughout its history, Alaska has been shaped by the forces of exploration, exploitation, and eventual statehood. From the early Russian fur traders to the modern-day residents of America's Last Frontier, Alaska's story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring spirit of its people.
Alaska Purchase: The History of the Trade between Russia and America. (2021, Dec 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/alaska-purchase-the-history-of-the-trade-between-russia-and-america-essay
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