What is the history of Alaska?

It is generally believed that Alaskans came from northern China, Asia and Bering Strait and developed into Indians of different tribes. The ancestors of Eskimos came from northern China, and crossed the Bering Strait from Asia to America about 1 10,000 years ago, or crossed the frozen strait continental bridge. Eskimos belong to East Asian nations. Unlike American Indians, they have more Asian characteristics. They share some cultural features with their Asian contemporaries, such as using fire, training dogs, some special rituals and medical methods, and living in regional groups. Eskimos are the most widely distributed ethnic group among indigenous people in the Arctic, and their living areas extend eastward from the east coast of Asia to Labrador Peninsula and Greenland, mainly concentrated in the North American continent. Usually westerners divide Eskimos into East Eskimos and West Eskimos. Eskimos in the west refer to Inuit people in the Aleutian Islands, northwest Alaska and Mackenzie Delta in northwest Canada. The Eskimo culture in these areas is deeply influenced by the Asian and American Indian cultures in the neighboring areas. The earliest recorded Europeans came from Russia and went to Alaska to catch sea otters for fur.

The history of Alaska is a process of human discovery and adaptation to this rich and diverse geographical environment. Since mankind set foot on this land, it has been exerting a profound influence on the people living here. The first Alaskans lived in the Ice Age about 65,438+05,000 years ago, when most of the earth's surface was covered with ice and snow. Today, a large piece of submerged land stands above the sea level, one of which connects Alaska and Siberia.

Anthropologists believe that Alaska natives are nomadic hunters from Siberia to South America. The first people who landed in Alaska mainly had three races: Eskimos, Aleutians and Indians. Eskimos are scattered in the north and west of Alaska; Aleutians mainly settled in the Aleutian Islands; Two Indian tribes, Tligits and Athabascan, mainly settled in the southeast and central regions. Tligits Indians thrive in southeastern Alaska, where forests are dense, fish and food are abundant, and they are famous for totem poles, celebration costumes and exquisite carpets. They are also brave fighters. When the first Russians tried to enter Sitka with guns, they bravely drove away the invaders. The living environment of athabasca Indians living in the central region is relatively difficult, and starvation is common. They are natural hunters, often chasing reindeer and large deer long distances, catching river fish such as salmon, and exchanging furs and other items with other tribes.

Eskimos live in the north and west of athabasca Indians. They hunt and fish in barren land and collect berries and root plants in short and cool summer. Brave Eskimos hunt whales, walruses, seals and polar bears in narrow kayaks. They migrate with reindeer herds, hunting land and seabirds. Although Alaska's smallest indigenous Aleutians live far from the sea, their clothes, food, shelter, heating and even tools come from the sea and shore creatures. Although they are not good at sailing, they sometimes sail hundreds of miles in canoes with hides, barter, visit friends or attack enemies.

Russian period

It was not until the17th century that new settlers discovered this place called "Aleska" or "land" by Aleutians. 174 1 June, Danish explorer Vitus Bering led a group of Russian sailors to set off from Siberia and look for the new continent eastward. On July 16, they discovered the mainland of Alaska, and the otter growing in Alaska became the biggest discovery of this expedition. By 1745, Russian hunters had established a solid hunting base in the Aleutian Islands, thus beginning the colonial period in Alaska. British, Spanish and American explorers followed closely, but it was the Russians who really stayed and had a great influence on Alaska. 1784, they established the first permanent settlement in Kodiak. By 1799, their tentacles had reached Sitka on the southeast coast, and Russia's sovereignty over Alaska was established.

Changed hands in America

1854, the Crimean war broke out, and Russia was also afraid that the Alaska colony would be taken away by Britain, so it proposed to sell Alaska to the United States. Finally, on March 29th 1867, the United States and Russia agreed to clinch a deal for US$ 7.2 million (including handling fee of 200,000). The effective date of the land contract is 1867, 10, 18, so to this day, Alaska has been designated as Alaska Day to celebrate this day. This land transaction has become the largest transaction in the history of land transactions in the world, with an average unit price of only two cents per mu.

However, US Secretary of State william henry seward, who was in charge of this land purchase case, bought Alaska with a large sum of money. At that time, many Americans thought it was worthless and laughed at it as Seward's folly or Seward's refrigerator. But he said a word, and he said, "Now that I have bought it, many young people will benefit from buying this land."

With the discovery of gold and oil, Americans realized the importance of Alaska. Then, after World War II, Alaska was upgraded to the 49th state of the United States on 1959 (Hawaii was upgraded to the 50th state the following year). Nowadays, many airlines fly from Asia to the east coast of the United States through the airport in Alaska, which saves a lot of flight time and fuel compared with direct flights.

Nevertheless, the American Stars and Stripes first flew in Alaska in June 1867+ 10/8. However, in the following years, the federal government did not pay much attention to this latest map, but set up a tax agency in Sitka, 1877, which was in charge of about 153 square miles of land and about 40,000 residents in Alaska. The situation didn't change until gold was discovered.

gold rush

It has long been known that there is gold in Alaska, but the real gold rush was formed after Joe Junian and richard harris discovered gold. Hundreds of gold diggers poured into Huang Jincheng, which was later named after Juno. 1897, gold was also found in the Klondike River in Yukon, Canada, so about 65438+ ten thousand gold prospectors flocked there again. 1898, the hot spot of gold panning turned to the beach near Nome, and overnight, there were more tents here. By the end of 1900, 232 ships had brought nearly 18000 gold prospectors. Gold has attracted the world's attention to Alaska. The newspaper reported the chaos in the anarchy of Skagway and Nome. Whether the report is exaggerated or not, it highlights the necessity of establishing the rule of law in Alaska. 1900 enacted laws and established a judicial system, but it was not until 19 12 that Alaska really enjoyed the status of a territory of the United States.

Under the cover of the gold rush, another unknown industry is quietly emerging, which will become the main pillar of Alaska's economic development, and that is salmon fishing and processing industry. By 1900, more than 50 salmon canneries have been built between Ketchikan and Bristol Bay. In the following decades, the distant federal government has been busy dealing with the internal and external troubles of the Great Depression and the European War. But after 194 1 declared war on Japan, the federal government suddenly realized Alaska's strategic position.

1943 Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands. At that time, about140,000 troops were stationed in Alaska, and then the Battle of Aleutian (also known as the "Battle of a Thousand Miles") became the first battle of the United States since the American Civil War. In order to provide logistic supplies for troops stationed in Alaska, a gravel road of 1523 miles was built between Canada and fairbanks, Alaska, which only took eight months. Until now, this highway is still the only land connection between Alaska and other American States.

Alaska is the 49th and largest state in the United States. It was 1867, and the U.S. government spent $7.2 million to buy it from Russia. Located in the northwest of the United States, it is the closest land to the North Pole in the United States. Almost half a year is a long night, and half a year is a day when the sun never sets. In winter, roads are blocked by snow and ice, and local residents huddle in their houses and live a life similar to that of polar bears hibernating. Only three or four months of the year are full of spring flowers, which is suitable for traveling. Whenever tourists from all over the world flock, local people must seize this precious golden moment and earn enough money to maintain their expenses for one year.

China workers enter.

The name of Ina City comes from a gold digger named Ina. In A.D. 1880, under the leadership of local aborigines, Aina and her companions discovered a natural gold nugget the size of a broad bean here. After exploration, it is found that gold deposits are rich and one of the three largest gold deposits in the world. Since then, gold diggers have poured in, turning this place from a desolate barren land into a bustling downtown. Now, the gold mines here have long stopped production, but the shops, banks, bars, theaters and casinos that served the gold diggers in those days still have their own characteristics, maintaining the appearance of a century-old shop, but the service targets have become foreign tourists. The development history of the western United States is closely related to the gold rush in the19th century, and the gold rush is closely related to the immigration history of overseas Chinese. First, a gold mine was discovered in San Francisco, USA, and hundreds of bankrupt farmers along the Fujian-Guangdong coast of China were sent to the western United States to seek gold by selling "piglets", thus giving San Francisco a Chinese name-San Francisco. With the gradual development of the western part of the United States and the construction of the railway artery in the west, workers from China have moved northward into Canada and Alaska.

1898 After the failure of the Reform Movement of 1898 in China, Liang Qichao made an investigation in the New World of the United States. He wrote in Travels of the New World: "British Canada is divided into seven provinces, and the Pacific coast is British Columbia (now translated as British Columbia). There are about 20,000 Chinese in Canada and 67% in Colombia. Victoria (now translated as Victoria), the capital of Colombian province, and Vancouver, a nearby metropolis, are commonly known as salt water ports by China people. It's called Newweis Mianshida (now translated as New Westminster) and is commonly known as the Second Port by China people. All China businessmen and China workers are gathered here. The number of Chinese in Canada is roughly as follows: Victoria has more than 5 thousand; Vancouver is more than 4,000; Newweishi Mianshi hit1000; Yao introduced a thousand meters; Milk 500; Kalab 1000 Gary one thousand; There are more than 2000 people on the ground; R2 and more than two hundred; The remaining about 3000 people are scattered in various cities. Ten years ago, when C.P.R Company built this big railway, people from China came the most. In its heyday, there were almost 70,000 to 80,000 people. "

Liang Qichao's footprint is only in today's Victoria Harbour, and further north is Alaska. Unfortunately, he didn't enter Alaska in the end, so he didn't leave a written record of China immigrants in Alaska. We can only look for traces of Chinese in Alaska according to the existing clues.

The gold mine was the place where early immigrants from China gathered. The original gold mines were scattered along the river banks, and people used simple tools to find gold from the sand. Later, it entered the mining of underground mines. After 19 13, the gold mine in Mina, Alaska experienced a technological revolution and adopted many advanced machinery and equipment, which led to a sharp increase in gold production. Now the mine has been abandoned and has become a place for tourists to visit. Through a 360-foot tunnel, you can reach the mining area of the vein. Visitors can spend a little money to buy some ore and then try to sift gold in the sink. The gold sand they get is their own, and they can take it to the gift shop and exchange it for cash.

Of course, the life of early gold miners was not as romantic and romantic as that of tourists today. Their work is hard, but they get little. In order to get rid of mental depression and loneliness, it is inevitable to indulge after work: binge drinking, gambling and whoring, so bars, casinos and brothels appeared in the town. At the same time, in order to maintain normal daily life, restaurants, shops, barbershops, grocery stores, laundry rooms, theaters, etc. Is essential. The occupations of three knives-kitchen knife, scissors and razor are most closely related to Chinese, because restaurants, laundry rooms (including tailor shops) and barber shops are mostly Chinese immigrants. On the one hand, they serve the gold diggers with these three knives, and on the other hand, they make money with them. The early Chinese restaurant, commonly known as the chop suey restaurant, is said to have originated from Li Hongzhang's visit to the United States when he served chop suey to Americans. The fundamental reason why Chinese restaurants can survive and develop in the United States for a long time is that they conform to the eating habits of immigrants from China. No matter in the past or now, the main consumers of Chinese restaurants are mainly China people, and westerners only occasionally come to taste fresh food. Chinese-run grocery stores mainly serve Chinese people, and many goods are directly imported from Chinese mainland, Hongkong and Taiwan Province Province, because many things are never produced or used in the United States. With the development of city scale, some public facilities have also begun to be built. City governments, courts, prisons, churches, parks, schools and fire brigades have appeared one after another. I saw a wooden sign standing in front of the city fire brigade, which said it was founded in 1898, during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty in China. Fortunately, although Alaska's towns have made great progress, many places still look like 100 years ago, and vivid history can be reproduced here, which is the charm of attracting tourists from all over the world.

Besides gold mines, railways are another gathering place for workers in China. It is undoubtedly a miracle in the history of human architecture to build a railway transportation artery across the American continent. The difficulties and obstacles of its natural conditions surprised us when we passed by the train. In Skagway, Alaska, there is a railway called WhitePass, which was built at 1898. It can be called the "world landscape railway" because it winds for 20 miles on the top of a 3000-foot mountain. The terrain is steep and the scenery is beautiful. It can only pass from May to September in a year, and the rest of the time is covered with snow, hence the name White Passage. Now, tourists can buy a ticket and take the old steam train for 103 dollars.

There is a "death railway" in Thailand, which was built by Japanese prisoners of war from Thailand to Myanmar during World War II. Because the climate there is hot, boils are very popular. On average, for every person who sleeps, a prisoner of war dies. If the "Death Railway" is famous for its heat, then the "White Passage" in Alaska is awesome because of its cold. It is conceivable that when the railway was built, I don't know how many Chinese workers were exposed to the snow.

In recent years, the outstanding contribution of Chinese in the history of American western development has been more and more unanimously affirmed by the American government and the public. Not only have records been added in many English works, but permanent monuments have been erected in some places. Reflects the progress of the times and society.

Overseas Chinese have also made important contributions to Alaska's traditional fisheries. Alaska is rich in salmon. From April to July every year, millions of salmon come from the middle reaches of the Pacific Ocean to the bays and forks in Alaska to lay eggs, thus completing the last stage of their life course. At this time, you can often see countless fish scales shining in a shallow water, and there are fresh and fat fish everywhere. They are not only winter food for polar bears, but also the target of fishermen. Liang Qichao said in Travels of the New World: "Workers in Colombia do more chauvinistic fish. ..... If the Japanese were here, they would also live on fish. However, Japanese people collect fish, while China people do fish. Fishing, the daily wage per capita, is several times higher than that of fish farmers. However, westerners here are forbidden to fish unless China people have been naturalized in Britain. Therefore, even with the benefits of this area, it is not allowed to compete with other families. "

In fact, the biggest producing area of salmon is not in Colombia, but in Ketchikan, Alaska, which is the real salmon capital of the world. When we came here, the first thing we saw was an arched placard across the street, which said in English: Welcome to Kaichikeng, the first city in Alaska, which is the salmon capital of the world. Nine times out of ten the shops on the street are related to salmon. We walked into a shop selling canned salmon. At the entrance of the store, it was written in Chinese: Welcome to taste for free. There are also Chinese words on the shelves in the store: We sell salmon roe. Obviously, this is a Chinese shop. I really want to talk to my boss and ask him when he came to Alaska to start the salmon business. Unfortunately, the boss is not here, and the Mexican employees don't know anything. They only sell me canned wild salmon. In recent years, due to climate warming, environmental pollution and over-hunting, there are fewer and fewer wild salmon, so the price has soared. In general stores outside Alaska, you can only buy farmed salmon products, which are different in taste and nutrition from wild people.

How many China people live in Alaska today? Because of the lack of statistical data, no one can tell. However, it is certain that the economic and social status of Chinese in Alaska has greatly improved compared with the past. The most obvious example is that in the past, Chinese-run grocery stores had a single product and a small scale. Now, even the gift shop has become a large supermarket. Customers can carry baskets and choose at will. Many T-shirts with Alaskan words printed on them, as well as souvenirs and daily necessities with Indian and Eskimo cultural characteristics, are actually produced in China. With a little attention, you can find the logo of madeinchina. This is the source of goods organized by Chinese businessmen in Chinese mainland, making full use of cheap labor and raw materials in China.

In addition to the Chinese who have settled in Alaska, there are also many Chinese among the many tourists who come to Alaska. Some are China students studying in the United States, some are overseas Chinese scattered all over the United States, and some are directly from Chinese mainland, Hongkong and Taiwan Province Province. China's reform and opening up has undoubtedly provided great convenience for mainland residents to travel abroad. The increase in income and the appreciation of RMB have made their wallets no longer shy. In tourist attractions, noisy places and even inaccessible places, it is not difficult to see China people with black hair and yellow skin.