Alaskan history can be traced back to 14000 BC during the Asiatic immigrations to western Alaska. Prior to the incursion of explorers from Russia, this extensive region was largely occupied by diverse native groups. These included the Inuit and some groups with European roots who had crossed in across Bering land bridge. Today, four major groups namely the Athabaskans, Aleut, Indians and Eskimos are recognized as the natives.
A cross examination of locals in the southern regions will most likely label them as the descendants British Columbia islands natives who fled internal conflicts. Interaction existed only on very small scales since different groups were separated by vast tracts of land covered by snow. For a long time, life went on without external influence until the traders from foreign lands started expressing their interests in the unexplored land.
A cross examination of locals in the southern regions will most likely label them as the descendants British Columbia islands natives who fled internal conflicts. Interaction existed only on very small scales since different groups were separated by vast tracts of land covered by snow. For a long time, life went on without external influence until the traders from foreign lands started expressing their interests in the unexplored land.
The greatest causes of extinction in the wild country were the severe epidemics that used to wipe out entire populations. There was lack of any form of civilization and health care until the arrival of Russians in search of wealth. Grigory Shelikhov was a Russian general who dispatched forces to neutralize native hostilities against his people. He founded the foreigners some settlements at Three saints bay and cook inlet.
The main interests in their minds was the sea otter population in the north. Alaskan otter were superior to those of the pacific northwest coast as far as their fur was concerned. Immigration efforts were however hampered by the lack of a well charted sea route into the new land of opportunities. Within a short time of their incursion, the Russian hunting parties started arriving in droves to prospect for otters. They established a colonial capital at Novo Arkhangelsk and later on got renamed to Sitka.
Russia however came to sell its rights in the colony to the united states of America and holdings of the Russian American company were liquidated. The US army, Navy and Department of treasury all got to control the territory for some spans between 1867 and 1884. The majority of the land remained idle at the initial stages of the purchase. Later on, the western union laid the first telegraph lines in 1865 that had an undersea link with Asia.
The state of Alaska as an economically depressed region changed greatly when gold was discovered in the Yukon territory around 1890. Though the mining fields were in Canada, Alaska was conveniently located along the main routes to the mines. The region also struck gold at the turn of the century and towns such as Nome, Fairbanks and Ruby quickly grew as a result.
Transportation was a major source of trouble for explorers wishing to move their finds. These shortcomings led to the building of a railway network connecting the main points of interest. Copper mining and fisheries wer
The main interests in their minds was the sea otter population in the north. Alaskan otter were superior to those of the pacific northwest coast as far as their fur was concerned. Immigration efforts were however hampered by the lack of a well charted sea route into the new land of opportunities. Within a short time of their incursion, the Russian hunting parties started arriving in droves to prospect for otters. They established a colonial capital at Novo Arkhangelsk and later on got renamed to Sitka.
Russia however came to sell its rights in the colony to the united states of America and holdings of the Russian American company were liquidated. The US army, Navy and Department of treasury all got to control the territory for some spans between 1867 and 1884. The majority of the land remained idle at the initial stages of the purchase. Later on, the western union laid the first telegraph lines in 1865 that had an undersea link with Asia.
The state of Alaska as an economically depressed region changed greatly when gold was discovered in the Yukon territory around 1890. Though the mining fields were in Canada, Alaska was conveniently located along the main routes to the mines. The region also struck gold at the turn of the century and towns such as Nome, Fairbanks and Ruby quickly grew as a result.
Transportation was a major source of trouble for explorers wishing to move their finds. These shortcomings led to the building of a railway network connecting the main points of interest. Copper mining and fisheries wer
Russia however came to sell its rights in the colony to the united states of America and holdings of the Russian American company were liquidated. The US army, Navy and Department of treasury all got to control the territory for some spans between 1867 and 1884. The majority of the land remained idle at the initial stages of the purchase. Later on, the western union laid the first telegraph lines in 1865 that had an undersea link with Asia.
The state of Alaska as an economically depressed region changed greatly when gold was discovered in the Yukon territory around 1890. Though the mining fields were in Canada, Alaska was conveniently located along the main routes to the mines. The region also struck gold at the turn of the century and towns such as Nome, Fairbanks and Ruby quickly grew as a result.
Transportation was a major source of trouble for explorers wishing to move their finds. These shortcomings led to the building of a railway network connecting the main points of interest. Copper mining and fisheries were soon growing into major sources of revenue for immigrants. The oceans around Alaska were rich in herring, salmon and cod species.
There were many offshore voyages made by settlers to hunt whale for their oil since they had been depleted in other waters. They also made explorations into the mainland, hunting polar bear and other wildlife. The majority of internal uprisings in Alaskan history were fueled by indiscriminate hunting since it interfered with local ways of life.
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The state of Alaska as an economically depressed region changed greatly when gold was discovered in the Yukon territory around 1890. Though the mining fields were in Canada, Alaska was conveniently located along the main routes to the mines. The region also struck gold at the turn of the century and towns such as Nome, Fairbanks and Ruby quickly grew as a result.
Transportation was a major source of trouble for explorers wishing to move their finds. These shortcomings led to the building of a railway network connecting the main points of interest. Copper mining and fisheries were soon growing into major sources of revenue for immigrants. The oceans around Alaska were rich in herring, salmon and cod species.
There were many offshore voyages made by settlers to hunt whale for their oil since they had been depleted in other waters. They also made explorations into the mainland, hunting polar bear and other wildlife. The majority of internal uprisings in Alaskan history were fueled by indiscriminate hunting since it interfered with local ways of life.
About the Author:
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