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| Aleksandr Baranov, first Russian Chief Manager of Alaska 1790-1818 VILDA ASL-P01-2603 |
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| Russian Imperial Crest VILDA ASM-lll-R-150 |
- How is the experience of Russian America an example of 18th-19th century imperialism and colonialism?
- What was the nature of cultural contact between the Europeans of Russian America and the Natives of Alaska?
- What is the legacy of the Russian colonization of Alaska?
ENGAGE
A Game of Monopoly
Nearly all American students, in the course of their early social studies classes, have heard of the Hudson Bay Company, or the Dutch East India Company, or the British East India Company.
These early joint-stock companies, chartered by their respective governments, were charged with exploration and colonization in a competitive land and resources grab by the European powers. In addition to mercantilist economic practices, these companies were the de facto government officials in the colonized areas.
They were also responsible to their shareholders at home who were most interested in reaping the rewards of their investment. These companies grew to be the first multinational corporations, and several exist in some form even today. Russia, first led by Peter the Great, was building its empire and was aware of the colonial tendencies of its European neighbors. It quickly got into the game.
The Russian-America Company is analogous to the European joint-stock companies. It was chartered in 1799 after its owners outbid the various small fur-trading companies then operating in Alaska. By securing a twenty year charter from the Czar Paul I, (renewed twice) the company established a monopoly over all trade and manufacturing that occurred in Alaska.
The individual in charge of the company was both chief manager of the company and governor of the colony, an economic and political position of considerable power and responsibility. It was to this role that Alexander Baranov was hired and it was he who set the tone and direction of the company for its first twenty years.
Over its history, the Russian America company engaged in an extensive fur trade which required expanding its area of harvest in Alaska and as far south as northern California.
It diversified its businesses to support and supplement the fur trade, and carried on a substantial international trade, especially with the Chinese. It negotiated treaties with the British to delineate borders and stake out area of trade with the Natives. It operated schools, training programs, and medical facilities, and was eventually required to financially support the religious and education work of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska.
As in the game of monopoly, there are winners and losers. Over time, as the situation on the ground in Alaska changed (diminishing financial returns), and the national and international situation for Russia changed (less ability to support and defend the colony, expenses related to wars), it was clear that keeping Alaska as a colony would continue to drain the company's and Russia's treasury. In true mercantilist form, Russia cut her losses and sold her colony.
EXPLORE
Read the following pieces from the Alaska History course :
EXTEND
For more detail, feel free to also review the included link for Russian American Reader. This will arrive as a download.
EXPLORE SOME MORE....
Next, read the sections on Russian America from Alaska's Heritage :
Competition - Cultural Change
Keep the economy and politics of Russian America in mind as you move to the next pages and learn about the international competition for the company and the cultural changes introduced by those who represented the company in Alaska. Be looking for cause-effect relationships.
Click on Images to Enlarge
A Game of Monopoly Nearly all American students, in the course of their early social studies classes, have heard of the Hudson Bay Company, or the Dutch East India Company, or the British East India Company.
These early joint-stock companies, chartered by their respective governments, were charged with exploration and colonization in a competitive land and resources grab by the European powers. In addition to mercantilist economic practices, these companies were the de facto government officials in the colonized areas.
They were also responsible to their shareholders at home who were most interested in reaping the rewards of their investment. These companies grew to be the first multinational corporations, and several exist in some form even today. Russia, first led by Peter the Great, was building its empire and was aware of the colonial tendencies of its European neighbors. It quickly got into the game. 
The Russian-America Company is analogous to the European joint-stock companies. It was chartered in 1799 after its owners outbid the various small fur-trading companies then operating in Alaska. By securing a twenty year charter from the Czar Paul I, (renewed twice) the company established a monopoly over all trade and manufacturing that occurred in Alaska. The individual in charge of the company was both chief manager of the company and governor of the colony, an economic and political position of considerable power and responsibility. It was to this role that Alexander Baranov was hired and it was he who set the tone and direction of the company for its first twenty years.
Over its history, the Russian America company engaged in an extensive fur trade which required expanding its area of harvest in Alaska and as far south as northern California.
It diversified its businesses to support and supplement the fur trade, and carried on a substantial international trade, especially with the Chinese. It negotiated treaties with the British to delineate borders and stake out area of trade with the Natives. It operated schools, training programs, and medical facilities, and was eventually required to financially support the religious and education work of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska.
As in the game of monopoly, there are winners and losers. Over time, as the situation on the ground in Alaska changed (diminishing financial returns), and the national and international situation for Russia changed (less ability to support and defend the colony, expenses related to wars), it was clear that keeping Alaska as a colony would continue to drain the company's and Russia's treasury. In true mercantilist form, Russia cut her losses and sold her colony.
EXPLORE
Read the following pieces from the Alaska History course :
EXTEND
For more detail, feel free to also review the included link for Russian American Reader. This will arrive as a download.
EXPLORE SOME MORE....
Next, read the sections on Russian America from Alaska's Heritage :
 |
| from Russia's Colony - Russian America Reader Alaska History and Culture Studies online course |
Keep the economy and politics of Russian America in mind as you move to the next pages and learn about the international competition for the company and the cultural changes introduced by those who represented the company in Alaska. Be looking for cause-effect relationships.
Click on Images to Enlarge
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Aleut in Kayak off Coast of St. Paul With Sailing Ship in Background VILDA ASL-P139-48 |
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| Register of Russian America Company Goods Traded for Chinese Goods at Kiakhta 1808 Meeting of Frontiers AHD, v.3,298 |
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| Killing Gang at Work - Fur Seal Harvest, St. Paul Island mid-1860's VILDA ASL-P20-058 |
EXAMINE
- The Russian America Company: when was it founded and what were the terms of its operation?
- What were the various economic ventures of the Russian America Company?
- What was the governance structure of the colony?
- How successful were the business enterprises, and how did this affect the future of the colony?
What's Next?
It all started with the quest for valuable resources. A familiar story throughout human history. Now let's explore Russian America - Impact and Legacy.
