Russian America

Well here goes another try at blogging. I want to thank Brenda Rosenthal for helping me discover that my problems with making my blog reader friendly may be due to computer problems. I don't feel quite so inept at this. Module IV Essential Question: What was the nature of cultural contact between the Europeans of Russian America and the Natives of Alaska? The nature of cultural contact between the Europeans of Russian America and the Natives of Alaska was similar to the Europeans settling the thirteen colonies on the east coast and their contact with Native Americans. Exploitation was the name of the game. The Europeans saw the Alaska Natives as uncivilized savages who were to be civilized or conquered. The Europeans did not have the Alaska Natives best interest in mind. They came to collect the goods, make a profit and leave. Alaska Natives were put into inferior roles by the Europeans. A legal system was put into place to strip Native's ownership of their traditional lands. Despite the strong efforts of the Europeans and Americans to destroy and diminish the Alaska Native culture, they fought, persevered, and survived to horrific treatment they received. As I mentioned earlier in a previous blog, the one difference I noticed about the Alaska Native culture is their steadfastness in holding to their traditions and the pride they take in that. They are a hardy people and a culture to be revered and respected. Examine: What other nations demonstrated an interest in Alaska - Why? The other nations that demonstrated an interest in Alaska were England, France, Spain, Portugal, and America. European nations were in competition with each other for world resources. Their attention was drawn to Alaska when they heard of the Russian's setting up hunting camps in the Alaskan Pennisula. Spain soon discovered that they were overextended in their efforts to compete for resources in Alaska and settled for the California area. The English explorer, Captain James Cook voyaged clear to the Arctic waters. The result of this was that people finally knew the shape of North America. Captain Cook assumed the Alaska Natives wanted the changes imposed by the English. The story of Captain James Cook ends tragically when he was killed during a last stop in Hawaii by Hawaii Islanders. The effect America had on Alaska is evident today as Alaska is our 49th state of the union. America purchased Alaska in 1867 as a territory. The Russians saw the United States as the only potential buyer. At this time, Russia and the United States were drawn together by a common hostility towards Great Britain. One of the most interesting facts I learned in this unit was that of all the European powers, Russia was the one supporter of the Union in the American Civil War. Evaluate: I enjoyed this unit. The one thing I am frustrated with is my inability to make my blogs more reader friendly, I apologize for that. I will keep exploring and trying different things to improve my presentation.