Alaska History

Situated in the far North West of America, Alaska is the most sparsely populated American state, with a population of less than 700,000 inhabiting an area of 663,268 square metres.  To the east of Alaska lies Canada, with the bitter Arctic Ocean to the north.  Extending south and to the west is the Pacific Ocean.

Interestingly, Alaska has not always been an American state.  Prior to March 1867, Alaska actually belonged to the Russian Empire, from whom it was purchased for the bargain price of $7.2 million. 

It was the American Secretary of State, William H Seward, who signed the agreement, which is now known as ‘Seward’s Folly’ and ‘Seward’s Icebox’.  Initially, few American citizens could see why the country should be so keen to adopt the area s their own, but at the orders of President Andrew Johnson a 500 strong military presence was established, designed to ‘keep peace and order’.  Despite this, the native people of Alaska and the settlers had a strained relationship – so much so that the American Navy was called in to maintain peace.

The Navy in fact took over the governing of Alaska from 1879-1884, where upon the First Organic Act was passed, which made Alaska a civil and judicial district, initially adopting the legal code of Oregon.  13 officials were installed to govern a population which at that time totalled just 32,000 people.  Just 430 of these were white settlers.

At this point, Alaska was not officially recognised as a US state, but a limited number of settlers began to move in to the area, with the hope that soon the area would gain official state status.  However, despite reports circulating about the rich natural resources in the area (such as fur, fish and minerals), the majority of ordinary Americans felt that their country’s associated with the territory was largely worthless and too remote to garner much enthusiasm.

However, this was soon to change, during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98, when approximately 30,000 people flocked into Alaska in the hope of striking it rich.  It was felt by many that the US was prepared to exploit Alaska’s natural resources to grow wealthy, but without being actually prepared to care for the territory as a proper state; certainly the relationship was much more like a colonial power moving in and exploiting an area, taking the profits elsewhere.

In fact, it took until 1959 for Alaska to gain official state rights.  It took hard lobbying from the Alaskan governor (Gruening), with the backing of many professional business men and women, followed by a popularist campaign by ordinary Alaskans.  Finally on 3rd January 1959, the official declaration was signed by President Eisenhower, making Alaska the 49th state of America.