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Alaska is known as the 49th state, only becoming a state of the United States in 1959[[File:1024px-St Michaels Cathedral - Sitka - back.jpeg|thumb|left|Figure 1. By that point, however, it had been colonized, first by the Russian Empire, and settled by non-indigenous populations since at least 1730s or earlierSt. Alaska Michael's Cathedral in Sitka was known as a land of rich resources andoriginally built in 1848, when with the US purchased the land city of Sitka serving as Russia's capital in 1867, it also became a key part of US national defenseNorth America. ]]__NOTOC__

==Alaska became the 49th state of the United States in 1959. By 1859, Alaska's control had been held numerous indigenous and non-indigenous colonizers, first by the Russian Settlement==Empire, and settled by non-indigenous populations since at least 1730s or earlier. Alaska was blessed with rich natural resources, and this wealth encouraged the US to purchase the land in 1867. During the Cold War, Alaska became a key component of US national defense.

====Why did Russia Settle Alaska?====After 1581, the Russian Empire began sought to greatly expand eastward across Siberia. By the early 1600s, it had reached the Bering Sea. Some sources claim that the first Russia Russian settlement in Alaska was established by Semyon Dezhnyov, a Russian explorer who was the first Russian to cross the Bering Sea. The settlement may have been near the Koyuk River near Seward , Alaska. By the early 18th century, Peter the Great had begun to renew Russian expansion and colonization interests. In 1741, Vitus Bering, the man who would lend his name to the Bering Sea, navigated across the the sea and arrived near Yakutat, Alaska. Bering would eventually die from scurvy during his second expedition but his travels were successful as it showed Alaska to be very wealthy, attracting fur traders and missionaries to Alaska. The first permanent Russian settlement was founded in 1784. Throughout the remainder of the 18th century, Russian colonies, mostly small and along the coastal regions of Alaska, were established. The Spanish also became increasingly interested in the Pacific Northwest in the 1780s, establishing a fort in Nootka Sound in modern British Columbia. Areas in southern Alaska, such as around Valdez, Alaska, became temporarily explored and trading areas for the Spanish, although within a few years the Spanish had effectively left the region. This prompted Russian interests as well to expand southward in Alaska. In 1799, the Fort of Archangel Michael, later becoming Novo-Arkhangelsk and later modern day Sitka, Alaska, was established as the capital of the Alaskan colonies. The old fort was destroyed in 1802 when native Tlingit attacked the fortification, but the site was returned to Russia control after an invasion in 1804 (Figure 1). Russia efforts became more concentrated in southern Alaska. This was also a time of great expansion of Russian interests, as Russian settlers reached modern-day areas of California by 1812, settling what is today's Fort Ross about 90 miles north of San Francisco.<ref>For more on Russian colonization and settlement in Alaska, see: Black, L. (2004). <i>Russians in Alaska, 1732-1867</i>. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Fairbanks.</ref>

By In 1741, Vitus Bering, the man who would lend his name to the 1840sBering Sea, US expansion navigated across North America increased in earnest with the American-Mexican warsea and arrived near Yakutat, Alaska. California and Oregon Bering would eventually die from scurvy during his second expedition, but his travels were also soon purchased and future (after the Civil War) Secretary of State William Seward once stated: "Our population is destined successful enough to roll resistless waves determine that Alaska could be very beneficial to the ice barriers of the north, and to encounter oriental civilization on the shores of the PacificRussia." This signaled interested The first permanent Russian settlement was founded in areas north of modern Washington, although expansion into these regions had to wait until after 1784. Throughout the Civil War. During this time18th century, the Russian colonies in Alaska were financially struggling, as the fur trade suffered from over exploitation, while Russia itself became deeply embroiled with the Crimean War in 1853. This put a major financial strain on Russia mostly small and it began to look for ways to raise revenue as its colonies were costing it money.<ref>For more on the period right before the purchase of along Alaska by the US's coastal regions, see: Farrow, L. A. (2016). <i>Seward’s folly: a new look at the Alaska Purchase</i>. Fairbanks, Alaska: University of Alaska Presswere established.</ref>

[[File:1024px-St Michaels Cathedral - Sitka - backThe Spanish also became increasingly interested in the Pacific Northwest in the 1780s, establishing a fort in Nootka Sound in modern British Columbia.jpeg|thumb|Figure 1. St. Michael's Cathedral i Sitka was originally built Areas in 1848southern Alaska, with such as around Valdez, Alaska, became temporarily explored and trading areas for the city of Sitka serving as RussiaSpanish, although the Spanish had effectively left the region within a few years. Spain's capital interest prompted Russian efforts to expand southward in North AmericaAlaska.]]

==US Purchase==Since the late 1700s trip by Captain James CookIn 1799, British interests in the western North American increased. This did prompt concerns in the US over British interests in the region. US fur tradersFort of Archangel Michael, originally restricted in trading in Alaska by the Russolater becoming Novo-American Treaty of 1824, ignored this treaty Arkhangelsk and increasingly traded with Alaska after the 1820s. Native populationslater modern-day Sitka, particularly Aleut, were decimated by the Russians through disease and war. Russian continued to face stiff native resistance through the 1850s, with the Tlingits never being conquered and threatening key Russia settlements. Native populations, in fact, rebounded in the 1850s as Russian power declined. With the Civil War over, and Russia still facing financial problems, the stage was set in 1867 for the United States to purchase Alaska. While expansion north of Washington state eluded the United States, William Seward still strongly believed in Manifest Destiny for the United States. The United States purchases Alaska for US$7.2 million, about $132 million in 2020 US dollars (Figure 2), under Secretary of State Seward guidance. Initially, many in the US ridiculed the purchase, leading people to call the purchase Seward’s folly. The first day the US gained power in Alaska was October 18, 1867, today known established as Alaska Daythe Alaskan colonies' capital. The importance of Alaska as a defensive possession old fort was evident destroyed in how it was governed, with US Army, US Department of 1802 when native Tlingit attacked the Treasuryfortification, and US Navy tasked with governing under but the government called the Department of Alaska until 1884. Sitka remained as the main settlement for the US during this time. In 1884, the Department of Alaska changed site was returned to the District of Alaska as civilian rule was now extended across the state. The 1896 Yukon Gold Rush Russian control after an invasion in 1804 (or known as the Klondike Gold RushFigure 1), which was mostly in neighboring Yukon, Canada, benefited Alaska as more settlers moved inland and exploration of the interior hastened. Towns along the Alaska-Canada border Russian efforts became established. In 1899, gold was found near Nome, Alaska, prompting construction of the Seward-Nome railway and establishment of towns such as Fairbanks. Throughout the early 20th century, mining and fishing expanded throughout the state, in particular western Alaska. The wildlife of Alaska began to greatly suffer, particularly seals and whales that were over-hunted.<ref>For more on the early history of US governing concentrated in southern Alaska and Native perspectives, see: Haycox, S. W., & Mangusso, M. C. (Eds.). (1996). <i>An Alaska anthology: interpreting the past</i>. Seattle: University of Washington Press. </ref>

[[File:528px-1860-russianRussia's expansion in Alaska coincided with Russian efforts to dramatically its interests and influence in North America. Russian settlers even reached modern-americaday areas of California by 1812.jpg|thumb|Figure 2They settled near today's Fort Ross, which is about 90 miles north of San Francisco. Map from 1860 showing <ref>For more on Russian Americacolonization and settlement in Alaska, see: Black, L. (2004). <i>Russians in Alaska, 1732-1867</i>. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Fairbanks.]]</ref>

==Becoming a By the 1840s, US expansion across North America increased in earnest with the American-Mexican war. California and Oregon were also soon purchased, and the future (after the Civil War) Secretary of State==William Seward once stated: "Our population is destined to roll resistless waves to the ice barriers of the north and encounter oriental civilization on the shores of the Pacific." This belief signaled interest in areas north of modern Washington, although expansion into these regions had to wait until after the Civil War.

The Second Organic Act in 1912 formally made Alaska a territory by During this time, with the population then being over 50,000 Russian colonies in the state. The 1930s saw crashes in mining and fishing prices for Alaskan, depressing the economy. However, some US settlers came as President Roosevelt saw the region near modern Anchorage, Alaska as being conducive for agriculture and settled some US citizens in were financially struggling because the regionfur trade suffered from overexploitation. The 1930s and 1940s saw the airplane becoming the most important vehicle of transport, as the lack of roads and railroads made this the easiest way to move around the state. World War II would make Alaska, once again, an important part of US national defense. First, Russia's expansion efforts were sidelined after it was became deeply embroiled with the invasion of Japanese in World Crimean War II, with the occupation of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian islands, during the war increasing US military commitment1853. Even todayThis conflict created a major financial strain for Russia, throughout Alaska defensive embankments and fortifications for an anticipated larger invasion can be seen in different parts of the state. The Alaska–Canada Military Highway, used to supply the USSR during the war with US war materials, it was built in 1942, connecting Alaska forced to the mainland US via a highway system. One could now drive from Minnesota look for ways to Fairbanks, Alaskaraise revenue. The city of Anchorage in the 1940s became AlaskaRussia's largest city as it expanded due to military personnel being based in Alaska and increasing number of bases built. The discovery of oil in the Kenai Peninsula in 1957 and the rise of the Cold War in 1945 led to Alaska being seen as an important US territory for defense and resources. President Eisenhower in 1958 signed the Alaska Statehood Act that would formally bring the territory to statehood in 1959. Many worried Alaska would colonies were not be able to support itself as a state. The 9.2 1964 Good Friday (March 27) Earthquake, North America's largest ever recorded earthquakeprofitable, while devastating, did demonstrate the Alaska could quickly recover and its bountiful resources proved a draw for corporations. This helped cement the state's population growth. Native rights they were still discriminatory, by law, until 1945, when the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 was signed that banned discrimination in the state. Because the state was admitted relatively late in US history, native rights have been better protected. For instance, in the 1958 statehood Act, the provision made costing it illegal for land to be taken away from Native titleholders, which was a law never the case in the lower 48 statesmoney.<ref>For more on the years period right before statehood and how the push for statehood developedpurchase of Alaska by the US, see: NaskeFarrow, CL.-M., & Slotnick, H. EA. (19872016). <i>AlaskaSeward’s folly: a history of new look at the 49th state (2nd ed.)Alaska Purchase</i>. NormanFairbanks, Alaska: University of Oklahoma Alaska Press.</ref>

==Summary==Why made the United States Purchase Alaska?====[[File:528px-1860-russian-america.jpg|thumb|left|Figure 2. Map from 1860 showing Russian America.]]Since the late 1700s trip by Captain James Cook, British interests in western North American increased. This interest prompted concerns in the US over possible British expansion into the region. American fur traders, originally restricted from trading in Alaska by the Russo-American Treaty of 1824, ignored this treaty and increasingly traded with Alaska after the 1820s. Native populations, particularly the Aleut, were decimated by the Russians through disease and war. Russian colonists continued to face stiff native resistance through the 1850s. The Tlingits were never conquered by Russia and threatening key settlements.

Alaska was always seen as a resource rich land that drove, first Russia, then the Spanish, English, and later US settlers to its vast lands. Native Alaskanspopulations, similar to other regions in North America, endured hostility, disease, and warfact, but relative to their peers rebounded in other parts of the US1850s as Russian power declined. As the Civil War ended, they have been able the United States had a unique opportunity to control much take advantage of Russia's weakness. Russia's continued financial problems set the stage for the lands United States to purchase Alaska in their native regions1867. Relative to the entire population While expansion north of the Washington state, about 120,000 of had previously eluded the 740United States,000 people William Seward still strongly believed in Manifest Destiny for the state claim indigenous ancestryUnited States. The United States purchased Alaska for US$7. Alaskan Native Corporations have also helped the state's native population to benefit financially from the state2 million, about $132 million in 2020 US dollars (Figure 2), under Secretary of State Seward's wealthguidance.

Initially, many Americans ridiculed the purchase, leading people to call the purchase Seward's folly. The first day the US gained power in Alaska was October 18, 1867, today known as Alaska Day. The importance of Alaska as a defensive possession soon became evident. The US Army, US Department of the Treasury, and US Navy were tasked with governing the territory called the Department of Alaska until 1884. Sitka remained as the main settlement for the US during this time.  In 1884, the Department of Alaska changed to the District of Alaska as the civilian rule was now extended across the state. The 1896 Yukon Gold Rush (or known as the Klondike Gold Rush), mostly in neighboring Yukon, Canada, benefited Alaska as more settlers moved inland and exploration of the interior hastened. Towns along the Alaska-Canada border became established. In 1899, gold was found near Nome, Alaska, prompting the construction of the Seward-Nome railway and establishing towns such as Fairbanks.  Throughout the early 20th century, mining and fishing expanded throughout the state, in particular western Alaska. The wildlife of Alaska began to suffer greatly, particularly seals and whales that were over-hunted.<ref>For more on the early history of US governing in Alaska and Native perspectives, see: Haycox, S. W., & Mangusso, M. C. (Eds.). (, 1996). <i>An Alaska Anthology: interpreting the past</i>. Seattle: University of Washington Press. </ref> ====How did Alaska become a State?====The Second Organic Act in 1912 formally made Alaska a United States territory. Still, there were only 50,000 in the region. Additionally, the 1930s was a challenging economic time for Alaska. There were multiple crashes in mining and fishing prices for Alaskans, which depressed the economy. However, some US settlers came as President Roosevelt saw the region near modern Anchorage, Alaska, as conducive to agriculture. Some Americans were convinced to settle in the area to develop agriculture in the state.  The 1930s and 1940s saw the airplane become the essential vehicle of transport, as the lack of roads and railroads made this the easiest way to move around the state. This technological advance helped Alaskans expand across the state.  World War II turned Alaska into a critical component of US national defense policy. First, it was the Japanese invasion in World War II, with Attu and Kiska's occupation in the Aleutian Islands, during the war increasing US military commitment. Throughout Alaska, defensive embankments and fortifications for an anticipated, more massive invasion can be seen in different states. The Alaska–Canada Military Highway was used to supply the USSR during the war with US war materials. It was built in 1942, connecting Alaska to the mainland US via a highway system for the first time. One could now drive from Minnesota to Fairbanks, Alaska, which also helped increase trade and the state's population.  The city of Anchorage in the 1940s became Alaska's largest city as it expanded due to military personnel being based in Alaska and increasing the number of bases built. The discovery of oil in the Kenai Peninsula in 1957 and the rise of the Cold War in 1945 increased Alaska's value and pushed the desire to turn Alaska into a state. In 1958, President Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act that formally brought the territory to statehood in 1959. Many worried Alaska would not be able to support itself financially as a state.  The 9.2 1964 Good Friday (March 27) Earthquake, North America's largest-ever recorded earthquake, while devastating, demonstrated that Alaska was resilient. It quickly recovered financially from the tragedy, and its bountiful resources played a key role. These resources also became a significant draw for corporate investment. This helped cement the state's population growth and drove the push for statehood.  Unfortunately, Alaskan law openly discriminated against Native Americans until 1945—the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 curbed discrimination in the state against Alaskan Natives.  Because the state was admitted relatively late in US history, Native rights have been better protected. Today, much of the state is still owned by Native populations. For instance, in the 1958 statehood Act, the provision made it illegal for land to be taken away from Native titleholders. This legal provision did not apply in any of the lower 48 states.<ref>For more on the years before statehood and how the push for statehood developed, see: Naske, C.-M., & Slotnick, H. E. (1987). <i>Alaska: a history of the 49th state (2nd ed.)</i>. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.</ref> ====Summary====Alaska was always seen as a resource-rich land that drove, first Russia, then the Spanish, English, and later US settlers to its vast lands. Native Alaskans, similar to other regions in North America, endured hostility, disease, and war. Still, relative to their peers in other parts of the US, they have been able to control much of the lands in their native regions. Relative to the state's entire population, about 120,000 of the 740,000 people in the state claim indigenous ancestry. Alaskan Native Corporations have also helped the state's native population benefit financially from their wealth. ====References====<references/> [[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:United States History]]