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Alaska History 2 The Era of Baranov
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Colonization of the Americas
Imperialism—a policy of expanding a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force; the policy of imposing economic and political control over other peoples in a way that undermines their sovereignty and takes away their freedom to make political and economic decisions Colonial America 1750 Colonization of the Americas
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Fear of Competition British Colonies in Canada
Spanish Colonies in America French Colonies in America Represented increased threat of competition to the Russians in Russian-Alaska Fear of Competition
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1776, Capt. James Cook sailed north looking for a northern passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic
Mapped the Alaska coast Died in Hawaii on February 14, 1779 But, men continued to Canton, China Otter pelts sold for fabulous prices Competition increased British fur traders British Ambitions
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French Ambitions 1 French expedition sent
Jean La Perouse reached the western shores of Alaska in 1786 Did not reach home Wars ended French ambitions in Alaska 1778 France declares war on Great Britain in support of the American Colonies July 14, 1789 Storming of the Bastille 1800s Napoleonic Wars 1812 France invaded Russia French Ambitions
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American Ambitions 1789 American explorers made their initial voyage
Fearing foreign competition, Gregory Shelikhov and Ivan Golikov establish 1st permanent settlement on Kodiak Island American Ambitions
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Era of Baranov Aleksandr Baranov
Outstanding personality of Russian-America Little formal education Not an explorer, colonizer or administrator A business man motivated by profit Siberian Fur Merchant Manager of Shelikhov Enterprises Head of the Russian-American Company 1790 Baranov agreed to manage Shelikhov’s holdings in Alaska Left his family in Russia Never returned home Era of Baranov
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Russian-American Settlements
Scattered & isolated Several Companies managing No real government Disputes often violent Russian-American Settlements
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Foreign Trade Supplying the settlements was always a challenge
Russia producing few finished goods or food Few Russian shipments sent to Alaska Baranov began trading with British and American sea captains Capt. James Shields (British) Resurrection Bay Built Phoenix Foreign Trade
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Life in Russian-America hard
Russian workforce mostly illiterate Convicts Indentured Signed a contract for 7 years Drunks woke up the next morning on a ship Life in Alaska was hard Men’s quarters very basic Diet dried fish w/vegetables in the summer and occasionally fresh meat Tea and sugar luxuries Cost of living high; many remained in debt Life in Russian-America hard
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Baranov won respect Joined in most dangerous activities
Established a Code of Conduct Rigidly enforced discipline Recognized the need for leisure pleasures Began brewing a drink made of crab-apples, rye-meal, and cranberries No drinking during working hours, but men invited to drink during leisure time Any and all occasions excuses for parties: Birthdays, saints’ days, arrival of a ship, births, etc. Baranov won respect
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Relations with Native Women
Russian workers were not race-conscious Invited natives to participate in celebrations Many Russian men developed relationships with Native women Baranov established protections for women Prostitution forbidden Once a Russian man took a Native woman to live with him, he remained responsible for her and any children resulting from the relationship forever Baranov took a Native mistress, the daughter of a Kenai chief Relations with Native Women
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Russian Orthodox Influence
Though not a practicing Christian, Baranov believed that religion was an important influence Asked Shelikhov to send a village priest Understanding of human nature Experience working with working-class people Instead, Shelikhov sent cloistered monks Didn’t join community Challenged Baranov’s authority Intent on converting Natives to Russian Orthodox faith Russian Orthodox Influence
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Discord Monks accused Baranov of:
Exploiting the Russian Fur Hunters and Natives Being a drunkard Living in sin with a Native women while married to another Requested that he be removed from his position As furs on Kodiak Island declined, Baranov moved on to Yakutat Discord
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Founding of St. Michael the Archangel
1795 Settlement of Mikhailovsk 6 miles north of Sitka Baranov observed foreigners trading with Natives Didn’t like it Paid the Tinglits for rights to the land 1799 Baranov returned with 1000 Aleuts 100 Russians w/Native wives Completed building of new post and returned to Kodiak with Aleut and Russian workers Founding of St. Michael the Archangel
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Russian-American Company
1799 meanwhile back in Russian, Nikolai Rezanov, Shelikhov’s son-in-law, obtained a charter granting the Russian-American Company sole rights in America for 20 years Russian-American Company
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