First Russian Settlement in Alaska

First Russian Settlement in Alaska

Russian America, Part 1

Alaska was the site of the first major Russian settlement in North America. Grigory Shelikhov (1747-1795), a fur trader, established the Three Saints Bay colony at Kodiak Island. For the next century this colony represented a core area for fur trading in the region and became the center of further exploration and trade. In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward engineered the sale of the Alaskan territory from Russia to the U.S. for $7.2 million. Alaska officially became a U.S. territory on October 18 after President Jackson signed an official treaty.
The Russian exploration of North America represented in the 18th century represented the foundation of the relationship between the two nations, foreshadowing future collaboration and conflict.

Group 4

"Photo." Discover Kodiak. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.kodiak.org/image_gallery>.

"Polish/Russian - Soviet Exiles - Immigration...- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress." Polish/Russian - Soviet Exiles - Immigration...- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/polish3.html>.

"Russians Settle Alaska." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russians-settle-alaska>.

"Russians and East Europeans in America." Russians and East Europeans in America. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~gstudies/russia/lessons/backgd.htm>.

1784-1867

83 years

Settlement

Grigory Shelikhov