 |
| Bering - 1741 |
Vitus Bering' second voyage to Alaska in 1741 is widely viewed as "the discovery of Alaska." After that, Russian merchants funded Siberian fur traders to obtain pelts by travelling to islands in the Aleutian chain. These fur traders held Aleut women and children as hostage forcing the Aleut men to obtain the furs. Even though not all encounters between the invaders and the Natives resulted in hostilities, many did because "resistance is futile" to use a Star Trek phrase. Aside from the violence of these exchanges, diseases brought by the Europeans were the single biggest cause of death among the Natives.
Then in 1796, Czar Paul I chartered the Russian-American Company which gave them exclusive fur trading rights to all parts of Alaska which were under Russian jurisdiction. In return, the czar's cut is a full one-third. In search of the almighty ruble, the fur trade continues and expands.
 |
| Battle of Sitka by Louis S. Glanzman, 1988 |
In southeast Alaska, things started well. The Russians were welcomed by the Tlingit. However, in 1802 the Tlingit attacked the Sitka post killing up to eighty Russians and Aleuts. A British ship rescued some of the inhabitants of the post, but charged a fee to get them back. This uprising was considered a blip on the radar screen and a sizable group of hundreds of Aleuts were sent to Sitka to put a stop to the rebellion. However, the Tligit had left and built their own fortifications at a more advantageous tactical position. Unfortunately, with their current weaponry, this was just too much for the Russians. Fortunately for the Russians, they were assisted by the cannons of the Neva, a ship of the Russian Navy. Once that happened, the Tlingit retreated.
Later, the Russians came to depend on the Tligit for food. The supplies from Russia were spendy and unreliable. They provided the Russians with venison and potatoes, after the Russians taught them how to grow the potatoes. Overall, the Russians required food from the Tlingit and the labor from the Aleut in order to colonize Alaska.
 |
| 1860 map of Russian America |
In terms of religion, initially the fur traders began teaching the Natives about Christianity. Then in 1794 the first Russian Orthodox missionaries arrived in Alaska. They stood up for the Native Alaskans. Even though mistreatment of the Natives was not allowed by the tsar, he was a long ways away and many of the fur traders disregarded his mandate.
Ioann Veniaminov, who was later known as Bishop Innocent, was the first Orthodox bishop in Alaska. He did a number of things to promote the Natives. In 1824, he aided Native leaders in developing an alphabet for the Fox Island Aleut language. He also help translate church writings into the Aleut language and studied and wrote about the Native population and culture. In 1835, he started learning the Tlingit language and continued his studies and writings of the Native culture. He helped design and build a cathedral in Sitka and in doing so taught the Natives and Russians alike building skills.
Examine Question:
What were the major terms of the Treaty of Cession, and specifically, what does the Treaty of Cession state about the indigenous population of Alaska?
The treaty specifies a number of conditions. First of all, it sets the price of seven million, two hundred thousand dollars in gold. It also defines the boundaries of the land to be exchanged; gives the United States government control of all properties, including buildings,(except for privately owned property and church buildings), fortifications and military posts; and says that the Russian troops will get the heck out of Dodge "as soon as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable."
As for the human population, the treaty states that the Russians may return to Russia within three years and if they choose to stay, they are to be made United States citizens with all the rights, protections and privileges afforded to all other citizens. The indigenous people, however, referred to as "uncivilized tribes" are to be dealt with as the government sees fit.
Treaty of Cession
15
Stat. 539
Treaty concerning
the Cession of the Russian Possessions in North America by his Majesty the
Emperor of all the Russias to the United States of America; Concluded March 30,
1867; Ratified by the United States May 28, 1867; Exchanged June 20, 1867;
Proclaimed by the United States June 20, 1867.
BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, a treaty between the United
States of America and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias was concluded
and signed by their respective plenipotentiaries at the city of Washington, on
the thirtieth day of March, last, which treaty, being in the English and French
languages, is, word for word, as follows:
The United States of America and his
Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, being desirous of strengthening, if
possible, the good understanding which exists between them, have, for that
purpose, appointed as their Plenipotentiaries: the President of the United
States, William H. Seward, Secretary of State; and His Majesty the Emperor of
all the Russias, the Privy Councillor Edward de Stoeckl his Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States.
And the said Plenipotentiaries,
having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have
agreed upon and signed the following articles:
ARTICLE
I
His Majesty the Emperor of all the
Russias agrees to cede to the United States, by this convention, immediately
upon the exchange of the ratifications thereof, all the territory and dominion
now possessed by his said Majesty on the continent of America and in the
adjacent islands, the same being contained within the geographical limits herein
set forth, to wit: The eastern limit is the line of demarcation between the
Russian and the British possessions in North America, as established by the
convention between Russia and Great Britain, of February 28 -16, 1825, and
described in Articles III and IV of said convention, in the following
terms:
III. "Commencing from the
southernmost point of the island called Prince of Wales Island, which point lies
in the parallel of 54 degrees 40 minutes north latitude, and between the 131st
and the 133d degree of west longitude (meridian of Greenwich,) the said line
shall ascend to the north along the channel called Portland channel, as far as
the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th degree of north latitude;
from this last-mentioned point, the line of demarcation shall follow the summit
of the mountains situated parallel to the coast as far as the point of
intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude (of the same meridian;) and
finally, from the said point of intersection, the said meridian line of the
141st degree, in its prolongation as far as the Frozen ocean.
IV. "With reference to the line of
demarcation laid down in the preceding article, it is understood -
"1st. That the island called Prince
of Wales Island shall belong wholly to Russia," (now, by this cession, to the
United States.)
"2nd. That whenever the summit of the
mountains which extend in a direction parallel to the coast from the 56th degree
of north latitude to the point of intersection of the 141st degree of west
longitude shall prove to be at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from
the ocean, the limit between the British possessions and the line of coast which
is to belong to Russia as above mentioned (that is to say, the limit to the
possessions ceded by this convention) shall be formed by a line parallel to the
winding of the coast, and which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine
leagues therefrom."
The western limit within which the
territories and dominion conveyed, are contained, passes through a point in
Behring's straits on the parallel of sixty-five degrees thirty minutes north
latitude, at its intersection by the meridian which passes midway between the
islands of Krusenstern, or Inaglook, and the island of Ratmanoff, or Noonarbook,
and proceeds due north, without limitation, into the same Frozen ocean. The same
western limit, beginning at the same initial point, proceeds thence in a course
nearly southwest through Behring's straits and Behring's sea, so as to pass
midway between the northwest point of the island of St. Lawrence and the
southeast point of Cape Choukotski, to the meridian of one hundred and
seventy-two west longitude; thence, from the intersection of that meridian, in a
southwesterly direction, so as to pass midway between the island of Attou and
the Copper island of the Kormandorski couplet or group in the North Pacific
ocean, to the meridian of one hundred and ninety-three degrees west longitude,
so as to include in the territory conveyed the whole of the Aleutian islands
east of that meridian.
ARTICLE
II
In the cession of territory and
dominion made by the preceding article are included the right of property in all
public lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public buildings, fortifications,
barracks, and other edifices which are not private individual property. It is,
however, understood and agreed, that the churches which have been built in the
ceded territory by the Russian government, shall remain the property of such
members of the Greek Oriental Church resident in the territory, as may choose to
worship therein. Any government archives, papers and documents relative to the
territory and dominion aforesaid, which may be now existing there, will be left
in the possession of the agent of the United States; but an authenticated copy
of such of them as may be required, will be, at all times, given by the United
States to the Russian government, or to such Russian officers or subjects as
they may apply for.
ARTICLE
III
The inhabitants of the ceded
territory, according to their choice, reserving their natural allegiance, may
return to Russia within three years; but if they should prefer to remain in the
ceded territory, they, with the exception of uncivilized native tribes, shall be
admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of
citizens of the United States, and shall be maintained and protected in the free
enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion. The uncivilized tribes will
be subject to such laws and regulations as the United States may, from time to
time, adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country.
ARTICLE
IV
His Majesty the Emperor of all the
Russias shall appoint, with convenient despatch, an agent or agents for the
purpose of formally delivering to a similar agent or agents appointed on behalf
of the United States, the territory, dominion, property, dependencies and
appurtenances which are ceded as above, and for doing any other act which may be
necessary in regard thereto. But the cession, with the right of immediate
possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete and absolute on the exchange
of ratifications, without waiting for such formal delivery.
ARTICLE
V
Immediately after the exchange of the
ratifications of this convention, any fortifications or military posts which may
be in the ceded territory shall be delivered to the agent of the United States,
and any Russian troops which may be in the territory shall be withdrawn as soon
as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable.
ARTICLE
VI
In consideration of the cession
aforesaid, the United States agree to pay at the treasury in Washington, within
ten months after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, to the
diplomatic representative or other agent of his Majesty the Emperor of all the
Russias, duly authorized to receive the same, seven million two hundred thousand
dollars in gold. The cession of territory and dominion herein made is hereby
declared to be free and unencumbered by any reservations, privileges,
franchises, grants, or possessions, by any associated companies, whether
corporate or incorporate, Russian or any other, or by any parties, except merely
private individual property holders; and the cession hereby made, conveys all
the rights, franchises, and privileges now belonging to Russia in the said
territory or dominion, and appurtenances thereto.
ARTICLE
VII
When this convention shall have been
duly ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, on the one part, and on the other by his Majesty the
Emperor of all the Russias, the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington
within three months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible.
In faith whereof, the respective
plenipotentiaries have signed this convention, and thereto affixed the seals of
their arms.
Done at Washington, the thirtieth day
of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-seven.
[SEAL] WILLIAM H. SEWARD
[SEAL] EDOUARD DE STOECKL
[SEAL] EDOUARD DE STOECKL
And whereas the said Treaty has been
duly ratified on both parts, and the respective ratifications of the same were
exchanged at Washington on this twentieth day of June, by William H. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States, and the Privy Counsellor Edward de
Stoeckl, the Envoy
Extraordinary of His Majesty the
Emperor of all the Russias, on the part of their respective governments,
Now, therefore, be it known that I,
Andrew Johnson, President of the United States of America, have caused the said
Treaty to be made public, to the end that the same and every clause and article
thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and
the citizens thereof.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to beaffixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this
twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States the
ninety-first.
[SEAL] ANDREW
JOHNSON
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of
State
Extend Question:
The VILDA website has many more outstanding Alaska and Polar Regions maps.
- Use the search engine and take a trip back in time with the intrepid Russian and British explorers.
- See if there is one or more maps or images you'd like to post on your blog.
 |
| Accurate map of North America : from the latest authorities; including the discoveries of Capt. Cook, and other circum-navigators. Published in [Clerkenwell, England] by T. Bowen in [1786?]. |
 |
| A map of North America, constructed according to the latest information, 1839. Included as map 14 in United States atlas: maps and charts accompanying the Case and Counter Case of the United States, by the Alaskan Boundary Tribunal, and published by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1904. |
Explore Alaska Class
Nice job of using pictures and links. Written well and enjoyable to read.
Heather's Alaskan Exploration
The pictures and the text intertwine well. It makes your blog easy to read and enhances the text.
Exploring Alaska From The Coast
Good point about making this foreign religion accessable by translating it into the native language. Nice blog.
Evaluate:
Again, once I started studying this module, I got wrapped up in content. It was interesting to learn about the Russian influence in this period of Alaskan history. It has whetted my curiousity because we have several "Russian Schools" in our district that even have school calendars that are different than the rest of the district and it just means that I need to learn more about this segment of the district.
No comments:
Post a Comment