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Timeline / Colonizers and Resistance / 1759: Russian fur trade expands in the Aleutian Islands

1759: Russian fur trade expands in the Aleutian Islands

On Umnak and Unalaska, two of the Islands off southwestern Alaska, the Russian merchant Stepan Glotov begins trading with the Unangan (Aleut) for sea otter and seal pelts that he will sell in the European market. When Glotov brings Russian trade to the islands, there are 24 Unangan villages with a combined population of about 1,000 living there.

Theme
Land and Water
Region
Arctic

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One ruble Russian note, issued by the Russian-American Company for use in the North American colonies, 1741–1867

Courtesy Alaska State Museum, Juneau

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One ruble Russian note, issued by the Russian-American Company for use in the North American colonies, 1741–1867

Courtesy Alaska State Museum, Juneau