Russia Saves Alaska for Us.

AuthorSeiler, Roger
PositionFRONTIER HORIZONS

LAST YEAR WAS THE SESQUICENTENNIAL of the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia for a mere $7,200,000--a strategic purchase to be sure, but it never could have happened were it not for the success of Alaska's first Russian governor, Aleksandr Andreievich Baranov. In the early 1800s, Baranov solidified the Russian hold on Alaska and prevented the British from taking it over and adding it to Canada.

In 1790, Baranov set out for Alaska--to be chief manager for Tsarina Catherine the Great. Shipwrecked in the Aleutians, he ultimately was rescued and able to reach his destination. His assignment was for five years, but all of his replacements died on the way, so Baranov was marooned in Alaska for 28 years. During that time, a huge earthquake and tsunami destroyed his main settlement. He had to rebuild, face erupting volcanoes, giant bears, massacres from hostile natives, and British schemes to take over the territory.

A key event in Baranov's Alaskan assignment occurred early in his colonial career. Food was running short among the Russians there because North Pacific storms had prevented supply ships from arriving. As starvation loomed, Baranov asked a native chief to loan his people food until a supply ship came. The chief replied, "The only way I'll give you food is if you marry my daughter." "I can't," said Baranov. "I have a wife in Russia." "So," answered the chief with a shrug, "you need a wife here in Alaska." Baranov demurred and held off for a few days. No ship arrived, so it either was marry the chiefs 19-year-old daughter (Baranov was 45) or starve. He made the deal, married Anooka in a native wedding, and received food for his men.

To Baranov, Anooka was exotically beautiful but, to his surprise, she also had a bright mind and strong ethical convictions--and she had an engaging gift of empathy that later would help Baranov make peace with hostile native tribes in southeast Alaska, a peace that was necessary to the success of Russian colonization.

Soon after Baranov's marriage to Anooka, whom he had renamed "Anna," he launched a "marking" expedition from Kodiak to the foot of Mt. Denali. There the Russian claim to Alaska--defying the British--would be established by burying copper plates declaring ownership. Because Anna had traveled there before with her father, she became Baranov's guide along the difficult route up the Susitna River.

After the group was several miles upriver, they went on land to follow a native trail. Anna pointed...

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