A Study Of Russian Colonization In North America（1799-1867）

In modern times,Russia gradually became an empire across the Eurasian continent through land expansion,and overseas colonization also occupied an important position in the development of Russia.In the 18 th century,Russia carried out many expeditions to the Americas,laying the foundation for Russia to colonize North America.This article intends to comprehensively analyze the course of Russia’s colonization in North America and systematically study the Russian colonization activities in North America by understanding Russia’s development of the islands along the North Pacific coast,Alaska and parts of California.The text consists of three parts.The first part mainly expounds the background of Russia’s colonization to North America.The fur trade has always played an important role in Russia’s eastward expansion.The depletion of early Siberian fur resources and the development of fur resources in the North Pacific region favored Russia’s expansion into North America.At the end of the 17 th century,in order to meet the needs of economic development,Peter I and his successors gradually accelerated the pace of foreign aggression and expansion.In addition,the Russian government organized the famous “Northern Expedition”,which opened up the route for Russia to America,and laid the foundation for Russia’s colonial activities in North America in the future.The second part focuses on the area of Russian colonial activities in North America.During this period,Russia’s colonial activities in North America were mainly concentrated in Alaska and California.In 1784,Russian merchant Sherekhov established the first Russian–American colony in Kodiak.The Russian–American Company,established in 1799,became the official institution leading colonial activities,and the rise and fall of the company also directly affected Russia’s management of the colonies.During the Russian colonization of Alaska,in view of the gradual reduction of fur resources,the profit of fur trade declined;the problem of the colony’s food supply gradually became exposed,and Russia began to colonize California,but it did not solve the dilemma faced by Alaska.After the outbreak of the Crimean War,Russia’s domestic crisis deepened day by day,coupled with the shift of its strategic goals and the adjustment of its expansion policy,the Russian aggression forces gradually withdrew from North America.The third part discusses the main ways of Russian colonial activities in North America.These include the economic exploitation of indigenous peoples by Russian–American company and the implementation of the “hostage” policy.In addition,it also includes the missionary activities of Orthodox missionaries in North America.Russia’s rule over the indigenous peoples of North America was the continuation of its colonial rule in Siberia;the missionary activities were carried out to“assimilate” the indigenous peoples,make them obey the Russian ruling order,and then strengthen the colonial rule.