The first time anyone (that we know of) made contact with Alaska was in 1741 because Vitus Bearing lead an expidition for Russia's Navy. While the Navy was there, they must have shot otters because they brought otter pelts. The otter pelts were claimed to be the best in the world so all the fur traders started making trips to Alaska, specifically the Aleutian Islands, for these pelts. During this time people must have decided that maybe it was a good idea to make a settlement, so the first settlement was made in 1784. Between 1774 and 1800 there were ALOT of expeditions because Spain wanted to claim the Pacific Northwest and then eventually made a settlement and fort in Nootka Sound, but after that was made the Russians expanded their settlements throughout Alaska.
Because there were so many Russian Settlements in parts of Alaska, Barnof Island was named the capital of Russian America, that remained the capital even when the US gained control of Alaska. Because Russia never FULLY colonized Alaska it was never that profitable, so William H. Seward (the Secratary of State at that time) negotiated with Russia for Alaska in 1867, which eventually became the Alaskan Purchase, we got it for 7.2 million dollars. After we gained control of Alaska it was governed by the military, and was US territory from 1884 to present day. Because of the Gold Rush in the 1890's Alaska was granted official territory status in 1912 at that time the capital was moved to Juneau, and on July 7th, 1958 statehood was approved and by January 3rd, 1959 it was an official state of the United States of America.
Alaska is well known to be an oil industry, and there was a large oil spill in 1989.
Personally i think the Alaskan Purchase was a very good purchase, it gave us alot of oil and more land to expand to and explore.
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