Alaska History
Alaska has a rich, but dark history. There are many events that shape Alaska’s history from the Gold Rush to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Alaska has conquered it all. During World War II, Japan bombed Alaska. Japan also occupied the native lands of the Attu and Kiska. Alaska was almost overwhelmed, but it pulled through the bad times and prospered in the good times
First People
The first people in Alaska were the Native Americans. The Paleo Indians arrived around forty-thousand years ago. They were hunter gatherers. They created dog sleds and used them as a way to travel. They were skillful and figured out many ways to use tools.
The Aleuts migrated to the end of the Alaskan Peninsula and Alaskan Islands. They came around 900 C.E. or 1300 C.E.. They had their villages near the water for fishing and travel. Their homes were very large and held up to forty families.
The Inupiaqs arrive around 3,000 BCE. They lived in the northern and northwestern region of Alaska. They were also hunter gatherers. They made their homes out of sod. Their lifestyle centered around the water to catch food and to work on their skills of gouging tools and using flint.
The Yup'ik and Cup'ik are some other Native American tribes that lived in Alaska. They both lived in the southwestern part of Alaska around forty- thousand years ago. They moved with the animals during migration. The men and women lived separately. The men hunted and the women cooked and sewed. The Eyaks, Tlingits,Haidas and Tsimshians were some other tribes. They all lived similar lifestyles and lived near each other. They lived from the southeastern corner of southcentral Alaska to the southeast panhandle of Alaska. They were here around 900 C.E. to 1300 C.E. They all built enormous homes. They had winter villages and they had second camps to follow the migrations.
The Athabascans lived from the brooks to the Kenai Peninsula. They were here forty-thousand years ago. They migrated with the area game. They lived in small groups and shared resources.
Explores and Settlers
The Russians were the first explorers in Alaska. Virtus Bering came to Alaska twice, first in 1728 and then returned in 1741. The expedition in 1728, was not successful, but the return trip in 1741 was successful. Vitus Bering died as a result of scurry.
The Spaniards were the next to explore Alaska. Juan Perez landed on Prince of Whales Island in Dixon Sound.
England native James Cook was the next to explore Alaska, in 1778. His maps were used by sailors for over a hundred years.
Russia was the first to settle in Alaska, in 1784. The colony was established at Three Saints Bay, which is now Kodiak Island.
Gold Rush
In 1861 gold was discovered in the stikine river. During 1896, the gold rush was in full swing. The gold rush brought violence. Some people made fortunes while others were not as lucky.
World War Two
On June 3,1942, Japan bombed the Dutch Harbor. Japan occupied Attu and Kiska. They took forty-two native people prisoner. Many people were forced to move to southeast Alaska and live in camps. Starvation and overcrowding resulted in many deaths.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
The Exxon Valdez oil spill was one of the worst human caused disasters. The spill affected seabirds, otters, seals, and whales. The people struggled to clean up the spill. After almost thirty years, they are still being affected.
Bill Warner is the current governor. The governor is elected to a four year term and can not serve more than two year terms. The Lt. Governor is the only other elected official.
Legislature
Alaska is divided into 16 organized boroughs. A borough is similar to a county and they do business like a county. Organized boroughs take up to 44% of Alaska’s land, but holds 85% of the population. The unorganized boroughs are governed by the legislature. The Senate has twenty members and they serve four year terms. The House of Representatives has forty members and they serve four year terms. They hold regular meetings in January and the sessions last one hundred and twenty days. They hold special sessions that last thirty days.
Courts
​ The Alaska’s state Supreme Court is the ultimate authority in all cases. The Supreme Court has five justices. The Court of appeals has three judges. The Supreme Court has thirty-two judges.
Executive
Flag
Description
The Alaskan flag design has the golden Big Dipper and North Star on a dark blue background. A contest was held for grades 7th to 12th too design a flag for the state of Alaska. Benny Benson a 13 year old Native Alaskan won the contest
Seal Description
The Alaska seal depicts the rays above the mountains that represent the northern lights.The smelter symbolizes mining. The train stands for Alaska’s railroads, and the ships represent transportation by sea. The trees symbolize Alaska’s wealth of forests. The farmer, his horse, and the tree shocks of wheat represent Alaskan agriculture. The fish and the seals signify the importance of fishing and wildlife to Alaska’s economy. The Alaska seal was designed in 1910 Before Alaska became a state.
Conclusion
Alaska has an extraordinary history, but even today the state has never recovered since the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Moving forward, we can help repair the environment of Alaska and make sure incidents like these never happen again.