First Russian Settlement in Alaska
Russian America, Part 1
Alaska was the site of the first major Russian settlement in North America. Grigory Shelikhov (1747-1795), a fur trader, established the Three Saints Bay colony at Kodiak Island. For the next century this colony represented a core area for fur trading in the region and became the center of further exploration and trade. In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward engineered the sale of the Alaskan territory from Russia to the U.S. for $7.2 million. Alaska officially became a U.S. territory on October 18 after President Jackson signed an official treaty.
The Russian exploration of North America represented in the 18th century represented the foundation of the relationship between the two nations, foreshadowing future collaboration and conflict.
Group 4
"Photo." Discover Kodiak. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.kodiak.org/image_gallery>.
"Polish/Russian - Soviet Exiles - Immigration...- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress." Polish/Russian - Soviet Exiles - Immigration...- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/polish3.html>.
"Russians Settle Alaska." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russians-settle-alaska>.
"Russians and East Europeans in America." Russians and East Europeans in America. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~gstudies/russia/lessons/backgd.htm>.
1784-1867
Russian Immigrant Settlement in the U.S.
Russian America, Part 3
U.S.-Russia relations have improved at times and worsened at others which has significantly contributed to rates of immigration. Over the past few centuries, Russian immigration has ebbed and flowed due to changing Soviet policy. During the 1970s, the relaxation of these policies on emigration allowed for the influx of Russian immigrants to the U.S.
For example, Brighton Beach, a community neighboring Brooklyn, N.Y., served as a major destination for Russian emigres beginning in 1973. Although immigrants began arriving during and after World War II, the majority immigrated in the 1970s after the Soviet Union relaxed emigration policies. Brighton Beach is also known as "Little Odessa", due to the large percentage of its residents who originate from Odessa. In addition, is also a hub of criminal and mafia activity.
Group 4
Idov, Michael. "New York Magazine." NYMag.com. N.p., 2 Apr. 2009. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://nymag.com/guides/everything/brighton-beach/>.
Keteyian, Armen. "Undercover Look Inside The Russian Mob." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 13 May 2008. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/undercover-look-inside-the-russian-mob/>.
Lewine, Edward. "From Brighton Beach to America; The Wave of Immigrants Began 25 Years Ago. Soon Russian Filled the Streets. Now, the Tide Is Ebbing.." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Mar. 1999. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/14/nyregion/brighton-beach-america-wave-immigrants-began-25-years-ago-soon-russian-filled.html>.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/undercover-look-inside-the-russian-mob/
1973-Present