Alaska History

Alaska was first populated by humans who came across from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge. It was via this route that most, if not all, of the pre-Columbian population reached the Americas. The Native American population included Inupiaq, Inuit and Yupik Eskimos, and Aleuts.

The first Europeans to reach Alaska came from Russia. Alaska became a Russian colony in 1744, although the first Russian settlement was founded only in 1784. Spanish ships also explored the coast and made some settlements during the 18th century. The names of some Spanish settlements such as Cordova and Valdez survive to this today.

Following the British North America Act of 1867, which created the unified dominion of Canada, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward urged, and the U.S. Senate approved, a treaty purchasing Alaska from Imperial Russia for US$7,200,000. The U.S. took possession of the territory, and raised the American flag on October 18th, 1867, which is still commemorated as "Alaska day". After the purchase, the area was initially called the Department of Alaska. Between 1884 and 1912, it was called the District of Alaska. Alaska was granted territorial status in 1912.

Check used by the US government to purchase Alaska from Russia

Check used by the US government to purchase Alaska from Russia

During World War II, three of the outer Aleutian Islands (Attu, Agattu and Kiska) were occupied by Japanese troops. This was the only area within the current borders of the United States to have been occupied by enemy forces during the war.

On January 3rd, 1959, Alaska became a US state. On March 27th, 1964, a major earthquake, known as the "Good Friday Earthquake" or "Great Alaska Earthquake", hit Alaska killing 131 people, and causing tsunamis which destroyed several towns and villages.

Earthquake damage in Anchorage, Alaska, caused by the Good Friday Earthquake

Earthquake damage in Anchorage, Alaska, caused by the Good Friday Earthquake

Alaska's History: The People, Land, and Events of (Alaska Pocket Guide)

By Harry Ritter Alaska Northwest Books Paperback (143 pages)	List Price: $12.95 Lowest New Price: $5.17 Lowest Used Price: $0.50 Usually ships in 24 hours (As of 15:03 Pacific 6 Oct 2008 More Info) Click Here
Product Description: A lively, take-along account of Alaska's sweeping history, from pre-contact Native times to the gold rush, to the present.

Alaska (On-The-Road Histories)

By Ryan Madden

Interlink
Paperback (317 pages)

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The word Alaska conjures romantic images of the frozen north-igloos, dog sleds, giant bears, endless tundra-and with these images, a sense of physical extremity: our biggest state, our northernmost state, our highest mountains, our lowest temperatures. In parts of Alaska, the sun never goes down in the summer and never comes up in the winter. But alongside the natural beauty and stark physical majesty is an interesting and complex human history thousands of years old and full of interactions between different peoples and cultures. Alaska Natives, Russians, French, Spanish, English, Americans, Canadians, and Japanese have all staked a claim in this Northern land. In this On-the-Road History, Ryan Madden first explores Alaska Native cultures, then moves to the Russian influence, the early American period and the influence of gold, and finally, Alaska in the 20th century, with the impact of World War II, statehood, and the oil boom.

Alaska: A History of the 49th State

By Claus-M Naske

University of Oklahoma Press
Paperback (368 pages)

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& Northern Alaska: A Natural History

By Ronald L. Smith

Book Publishers Network
Paperback (131 pages)

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How did these creatures manage to survive the extremes of Alaska's environment? How were the Alaskan dinosaurs different from their counterparts elsewhere in the world? How have present-day animals and plants adapted to the harsh winters? Open up Ron Smith's world and learn that the answer is not just in what these creatures are - their size or what color or type of skin covering - but also in what they do. Smith highlights the most interesting of Alaska's residents - the towering grizzly as well as the petite pika, the "coat-changing" ptarmigan and the ever-popular salmon - to reveal nature at its amazing best. This insatiably curious scientist asks questions we'd never think of to discover the wonder of this wild land. How can a ponderously slow-growing evergreen ever hope to survive when it's surrounded by the rapidly growing deciduous trees? Building upon the discoveries of Alaska's extinct dinosaurs and plants and the interrelationship of current species, Smith looks to the future. What are the trends? Which of these specially adapted flora and fauna are likely to survive or even flourish? Past, present, or future, our country's final frontier continues to fascinate. Join Smith on his journey within and around Alaska for a truly unique tour of its incredible inhabitants.

Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land--From Russian Fur Traders to the Gold Rush, Extraordinary Railroads, World War II, the Oil Boom, and the Fight Over ANWR

By Walter R. Borneman

HarperCollins
Released: 2003-02-04
Hardcover (624 pages)

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The history of Alaska is filled with stories of new land and new riches -- and ever present are new people with competing views over how these resources should be used: Russians exploiting a fur empire; explorers checking rival advances; prospectors stampeding to the clarion call of "Gold!"; soldiers battling out a decisive chapter in world war; oil wildcatters looking for a different kind of mineral wealth; and always at the core of these disputes is the question of how the land is to be used and by whom.

Major themes include Alaska Natives, exploration and mountaineering, mining rushes, railroads and aviation, military operations, and the conflict pitting conservation against development, with a spotlight on the current debate over oil drilling in ANWR.

Some want Alaska to remain static, others are in the vanguard of change. Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land shows that there are no easy answers on either side and that Alaska will always be crossing the next frontier.

Alaska Scrapbook: Moments in Alaska History: 1816-1998

By Stephen Haycox CIRI Foundation Paperback (255 pages)	List Price: $24.95 Lowest New Price: $15.00 Lowest Used Price: $17.65 Usually ships in 24 hours (As of 15:03 Pacific 6 Oct 2008 More Info) Click Here
Product Description: Alaska's compelling history is featured this collection 120 articles and historic photographs. These brief articles cover a span of key events and poignant moments from 1816 to 1998. They highlight the history of the state's indigenous peoples and its many migrants.

Nature of Southeast Alaska: A Guide to Plants Anim

By Rita M O'Clair Alaska Northwest Books Paperback (254 pages)	List Price: $18.95 Lowest New Price: $6.89 Lowest Used Price: $5.49 Usually ships in 24 hours (As of 15:03 Pacific 6 Oct 2008 More Info) Click Here
Product Description: Updated and revised, this popular book is a lively field guide to Southeast Alaska's natural wonders.

Cultural Politics and the Mass Media: ALASKA NATIVE VOICES (History of Communication)

By Patrick J. Daley

University of Illinois Press
Hardcover (256 pages)

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Russian Amerika

By Stoney Compton

Baen
Hardcover (464 pages)

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Alaska, 1989. In a world where Alaska is still a Russian possession, charter captain Grigorivich Plesnett has a stained past ¿ as a major in the Czar¿s Troika Guard he was cashiered for disobeying a direct order. Now, ten years later, Grig charters out to a cossack and discovers his past has not only caught up with him but is about to violently change his future, and the future of all nine of the nations of North America as well. Spanning Alaska from the Southeastern Inside Passage to the frozen Yukon, this is an epic tale of one man¿s journey of redemption and courage to face old challenges and help birth a new nation.

Bits and Pieces of Alaskan History

Alaska Northwest Books
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