By Martina Garrett
The history of Alaska begins with the thousands of Native peoples who populated the area before the arrival of Europeans in 1741. These early inhabitants made their way over the Bering land bridge from north-east Asia. The main groups were the Eskimos and Aleuts. The former were mostly found on the coastal areas. The latter were seafarers who had their homes on the Aleutian Islands. Inland, nomadic groups followed the great herds of caribou which supplied them with fur and food.
In 1728, Vitus Bering sailed past the mainland and islands but the fog was so thick he didn't see either. Although a Dane, he worked for the Russian Navy. During the Second Kamchatka Expedition, in 1741, he and Alexei Chirikov sailed through the Bering Strait again. They are jointly credited with having discovered Alaska. Before long, Russian trappers and traders were settling in the area. They were harsh in their treatment of the Aleuts, forcing trappers to hunt and supply furs and sometimes taking hostages to ensure their demands were met.
In 1728, Vitus Bering sailed past the mainland and islands but the fog was so thick he didn't see either. Although a Dane, he worked for the Russian Navy. During the Second Kamchatka Expedition, in 1741, he and Alexei Chirikov sailed through the Bering Strait again. They are jointly credited with having discovered Alaska. Before long, Russian trappers and traders were settling in the area. They were harsh in their treatment of the Aleuts, forcing trappers to hunt and supply furs and sometimes taking hostages to ensure their demands were met.
By 1784, Kodiak Island had been settled by Siberian fur traders. Russian colonization lasted less than a century. However Russian influence was very strong. The Russian Orthodox Church in particular has left indelible legacies which continue today.
In 1791, Kodiak was formalized as the capital of Russian America. The economy at that time depended on the fur trade. The United States and Great Britain were increasingly encroaching on the fur-hunting regions. Eventually treaties were drawn up with each country. However Russia's interests became more focused on its eastern shores.
In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, with the then Secretary of State William Henry Seward negotiating the purchase. Russia had just lost the Crimean War and was not on friendly terms with Great Britain. Although that country was keen to add Alaska to its British North American (Canadian) territories, Russia offered the country to the United States.
In 1898, the first official census put the total population as 33,426. Of this number, a little over four hundred were non-native. Salmon fishing became a boom industry with canneries opening up all the way along the coast. Half the world's canned salmon was coming from the area by 1917. A further influx of some 30,000 people arrived with the news of gold being found in the Klondike and Yukon area. In 1898, gold was discovered at Nome followed by discoveries at Fairbanks three years later. Some of the prospectors and business people stayed on when the gold rush died down. The interior began to be opened up with railways.
In 1912, Alaska became a territory. Its strategic importance was highlighted during World War II when the Japanese occupied several of the Aleutian Islands. They believed this would give them control over the shipping in the area. It took almost a year for the USA military to conquer the harsh conditions and oust the Japanese. Following this scare, several military bases were established there with a subsequent boom in population in some areas. Alaska became the 49th US state on 3 January 1959.
Another milestone was the di
In 1791, Kodiak was formalized as the capital of Russian America. The economy at that time depended on the fur trade. The United States and Great Britain were increasingly encroaching on the fur-hunting regions. Eventually treaties were drawn up with each country. However Russia's interests became more focused on its eastern shores.
In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, with the then Secretary of State William Henry Seward negotiating the purchase. Russia had just lost the Crimean War and was not on friendly terms with Great Britain. Although that country was keen to add Alaska to its British North American (Canadian) territories, Russia offered the country to the United States.
In 1898, the first official census put the total population as 33,426. Of this number, a little over four hundred were non-native. Salmon fishing became a boom industry with canneries opening up all the way along the coast. Half the world's canned salmon was coming from the area by 1917. A further influx of some 30,000 people arrived with the news of gold being found in the Klondike and Yukon area. In 1898, gold was discovered at Nome followed by discoveries at Fairbanks three years later. Some of the prospectors and business people stayed on when the gold rush died down. The interior began to be opened up with railways.
In 1912, Alaska became a territory. Its strategic importance was highlighted during World War II when the Japanese occupied several of the Aleutian Islands. They believed this would give them control over the shipping in the area. It took almost a year for the USA military to conquer the harsh conditions and oust the Japanese. Following this scare, several military bases were established there with a subsequent boom in population in some areas. Alaska became the 49th US state on 3 January 1959.
Another milestone was the di
In 1898, the first official census put the total population as 33,426. Of this number, a little over four hundred were non-native. Salmon fishing became a boom industry with canneries opening up all the way along the coast. Half the world's canned salmon was coming from the area by 1917. A further influx of some 30,000 people arrived with the news of gold being found in the Klondike and Yukon area. In 1898, gold was discovered at Nome followed by discoveries at Fairbanks three years later. Some of the prospectors and business people stayed on when the gold rush died down. The interior began to be opened up with railways.
In 1912, Alaska became a territory. Its strategic importance was highlighted during World War II when the Japanese occupied several of the Aleutian Islands. They believed this would give them control over the shipping in the area. It took almost a year for the USA military to conquer the harsh conditions and oust the Japanese. Following this scare, several military bases were established there with a subsequent boom in population in some areas. Alaska became the 49th US state on 3 January 1959.
Another milestone was the discovery of oil in 1968. Smaller oil and gas fields had been established for some time but the Prudhoe Bay oilfield was the largest to be discovered in North America. Once the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was operational in 1977, oil was pumped directly from the field to the Valdez port 800 miles away. Today the main industries are oil and gas, fishing, furs, timber and tourism. The latter is increasing daily as people come to recognize the unique features of the area and realize how interesting the history of Alaska is.
About the Author:
In 1912, Alaska became a territory. Its strategic importance was highlighted during World War II when the Japanese occupied several of the Aleutian Islands. They believed this would give them control over the shipping in the area. It took almost a year for the USA military to conquer the harsh conditions and oust the Japanese. Following this scare, several military bases were established there with a subsequent boom in population in some areas. Alaska became the 49th US state on 3 January 1959.
Another milestone was the discovery of oil in 1968. Smaller oil and gas fields had been established for some time but the Prudhoe Bay oilfield was the largest to be discovered in North America. Once the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was operational in 1977, oil was pumped directly from the field to the Valdez port 800 miles away. Today the main industries are oil and gas, fishing, furs, timber and tourism. The latter is increasing daily as people come to recognize the unique features of the area and realize how interesting the history of Alaska is.
About the Author:
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