Pam C. (PamC) reviewed Russian America: the Great Alaskan Venture 1741 - 1867 on + 117 more book reviews
My husband informed me that this was not a bad book, but it was not of interest to him, hence the 2 star rating.
This is a concise history of Alaska, informed by the author's long interest in the subject (since 1934) plus some new information that came from the Russian archives. I myself was interested in Chapter 15 "The Sale" as it offers insights into the foreign policy of the US during the Lincoln Administration. Russia was not afraid of a British takeover, but certain bureaucrats in St. Petersburg felt Russian America was unprofitable.
Mr. Chevigny asserts that Russia was the only active supporter of the Union among the major European powers and that likewise Russia appreciated being able to work with the US when threatened with a naval war (vs. France and the UK) over a Polish question. The Czar's battleships sailed into NY and SF harbors for a several months stay in 1863.
Also Canada's Confederation in 1867 was a consideration in the sale of Alaska in that year, Senator Charles Sumner carried the day in Senate, Thaddeus Stevens lied (he promised to shepherd the payment through the House), and the longtime Russian diplomat serving in D.C. saw his career ruined by the sale because it proved unpopular in Russia.
The Pierce administration strongly supported the Russian efforts in the Crimean War, with our ambassador in London (James Buchanan) sending info to Secretary of State Wm. Marcy in D.C. who passed it on to the Russian diplomats. There were M.D.s who went to The Crimea to treat Russian wounded.
After no one at the old soldier's home touched it in eight weeks (few readers), I read several more chapters before leaving it at the VA Hospital lobby (many readers) and learned things I never knew.
I found Chapter 12 also of interest, covering 1820 to 1842 or so, when a treaty was made by Russia with the UK and also with the US, Fort Ross was established in California, etc. American whalers had been so despicable that foreigners were banned from Russian America in 1841. They had sold liquor to the natives, brought venereal disease, and when ashore to render whale oil, would use up all the (scarce) driftwood in the area, leaving people to freeze.
Chapter 13 cover the relative prosperity of the 1840s, As the nobles insisted on serfdom, not wanting to lose their labor force (they did get quite a few Finns), there were few settlers and the Russian American Company had to train up some of the 30,000 natives resident in Alaska.
Note in Chapter 9 that the Indians of the future Canadian and Oregon Territory coast took slaves.
A few footnotes, lousy index, essay on sources, and brief bibliography.
Mr. Chevigny asserts that Russia was the only active supporter of the Union among the major European powers and that likewise Russia appreciated being able to work with the US when threatened with a naval war (vs. France and the UK) over a Polish question. The Czar's battleships sailed into NY and SF harbors for a several months stay in 1863.
Also Canada's Confederation in 1867 was a consideration in the sale of Alaska in that year, Senator Charles Sumner carried the day in Senate, Thaddeus Stevens lied (he promised to shepherd the payment through the House), and the longtime Russian diplomat serving in D.C. saw his career ruined by the sale because it proved unpopular in Russia.
The Pierce administration strongly supported the Russian efforts in the Crimean War, with our ambassador in London (James Buchanan) sending info to Secretary of State Wm. Marcy in D.C. who passed it on to the Russian diplomats. There were M.D.s who went to The Crimea to treat Russian wounded.
After no one at the old soldier's home touched it in eight weeks (few readers), I read several more chapters before leaving it at the VA Hospital lobby (many readers) and learned things I never knew.
I found Chapter 12 also of interest, covering 1820 to 1842 or so, when a treaty was made by Russia with the UK and also with the US, Fort Ross was established in California, etc. American whalers had been so despicable that foreigners were banned from Russian America in 1841. They had sold liquor to the natives, brought venereal disease, and when ashore to render whale oil, would use up all the (scarce) driftwood in the area, leaving people to freeze.
Chapter 13 cover the relative prosperity of the 1840s, As the nobles insisted on serfdom, not wanting to lose their labor force (they did get quite a few Finns), there were few settlers and the Russian American Company had to train up some of the 30,000 natives resident in Alaska.
Note in Chapter 9 that the Indians of the future Canadian and Oregon Territory coast took slaves.
A few footnotes, lousy index, essay on sources, and brief bibliography.
