Trump and Putin's Alaskan Past, a Russian Connection in their Upcoming Meeting
Russian Influence and Alaska's History
Alaska, a state in the United States, has a rich history that dates back to the early 18th century when Russian explorers and fur traders first arrived. The Russian-American Company, established in 1799, played a significant role in Alaska's colonization, particularly on Kodiak Island where the Orthodox diocese claims to be the oldest in North America and maintains a seminary.
The Russian Orthodox Church, founded during this period, still stands in places like Sitka and Anchorage. More than 35 churches with distinctive onion-shaped domes dot the Alaskan coast, a testament to Russia's historical influence.
Russian colonization brought about dramatic demographic and social impacts on indigenous peoples. Old World diseases led to population decline, and enslavement and forced relocations caused tensions. In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, a move partly driven by financial struggles after the Crimean War and a desire to prevent British expansion into the territory.
In the present day, Russian cultural influences persist in Alaska. Russian Orthodoxy continues to be significant, and Russian-derived place names such as Ninilchik can be found. The descendants of Russian and Alaskan native intermarriages, known as Alaskan Creoles, remain in the area.
Symbolically, Alaska also retained strategic military importance during the Cold War, serving as the first line of defense against potential Soviet attacks over the North Pole. Missile detection installations operated there.
Russia's influence still endures in parts of Alaska, particularly on the northwest edge of the North American continent. However, there are no significant Russian territorial or economic presence in the region today beyond cultural and historical ties.
In recent news, two Russians landed on the remote St Lawrence island, just a few dozen kilometers from the Russian coast, seeking asylum in October 2022. They fled just weeks after Putin ordered an unpopular mobilization of citizens to boost his invasion of Ukraine.
Despite rumors about renewed Russian interest in Alaska’s rich mineral resources amid broader geopolitical tensions, Alaska's governor and officials have denied any formal resource deals with Russia. Russia does not seem to be interested in reclaiming the territory it once held in Alaska, with Putin stating in 2014 that Alaska is "too cold."
The purchase of Alaska was widely criticized in the US at the time and was dubbed "Seward's folly" after the deal's mastermind, Secretary of State William Seward. However, the strategic importance of Alaska during the Cold War and its rich cultural history make it an essential part of the United States today.
References:
- https://www.history.com/news/alaska-purchase-150-years
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Alaska
- https://www.nps.gov/alas/learn/historyculture/upload/alaska-russian-america-1741-1867.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_America
- https://www.alaskahistory.org/alaska-history-archive/alaska-purchase/
In the nuclear-charged Cold War era, Alaska's strategic military importance was linked to potential Soviet attacks, necessitating the establishment of missile detection installations. This historical context underscores the enduring political significance of Russia's influence in Alaska. Amidst recent geopolitical conflicts, rumors have circulated about Russia's renewed interest in Alaska's rich mineral resources, but Alaska's Governor and officials vehemently deny any formal resource deals with Russia.
