Alaska (Russian America)

Alaskan Democratic Federative Republic
Аляскинская Демократическая Федеративная Республика
Timeline: Russian America
OTL equivalent: Alaska, the Aleutsky District, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and parts of British Columbia, California, Montana, Wyoming, and Yukon.

Flag Coat of Arms Location of Alaska Motto В высшей степени (Russian) ("To the Greatest Heights")
Anthem	"Hymn of a Free Alaska"
Capital	New Archangel
Largest city	Ross
Other cities	New Westminster, Vladikaskady
Language   official	Russian (de facto)
others	English, Spanish, Ukrainian
Religion   main	Eastern Orthodox
others	Catholics, Jews, Protestants
Ethnic Groups   main	Russians and Ukrainians
others	English, Germans, Norwegians
Demonym	Alaskan • Alyaskinets
Government	Federal presidential republic
Legislature	General Congress
President	Ivan Kasich (Evergreens)
Senate Chairman	Boris Sashin (DMS)
Area	3,836,094 km² (3,370,724 кв. врс)
Population	60,894,201 (2017 Census)
GDP   Total:	$2.140 trillion
per capita	$35,143
Independence	from the Russian Empire
declared	March 15, 1917
recognized	January 23, 1918 (by RSFSR) November 27, 1929 (Reunification)
Currency	Yefimok (ƒ) (AKY)
Time Zones	(UTC-8 to -10)
summer	(UTC-7 to -9)
Driving Side	Right
Calling Code	+7
Internet TLD	.ak, .ал
Organizations	G20, NAFTA, NAM, OAS, RUS, UN

Alaska (Russian: Аляска, Alyaska), officially known as the Alaskan Democratic Federative Republic (Аляскинская Демократическая Федеративная Республика, Alyaskinskaya Demokraticheskaya Federativnaya Respublika), and commonly abbreviated as the ADFR (АДФР); is a sovereign state located along the Northwest Coast region of North America. The nation is a federation comprised of 18 governorates which are bordered by Borealia and the United States to the east, Mexico to the south, and the Russian Federation west of the Bering Strait.

The territory of modern day Alaska was initially an integral part of the Russian Empire (with the territory being acquired from Spain and the United Kingdom). Russian America developed throughout the 19th Century as an invaluable region of the empire, due in no small feat to the numerous gold rushes within the region. By the turn of the century and the subsequent collapse of the Russian Empire, Alaska became an independent nation. Following a decade of instability and war, an American-styled liberal democracy was established. Alaska would play a key role during the Cold War as a buffer state between the two Superpowers.

Alaska is unique in that it's both the only nation in the New World to have an Eastern Orthodox majority and the only nation outside the former Soviet Union to have a Russian-speaking majority. Much like its neighbors across the Americas, Alaska is a nation of immigrants. Those of Russian, Ukrainian, English, Norwegian, German, and Chinese descent currently make up the biggest demographics within the nation.

Etymology

The name Alaska is derived from the Aleut idiom алахсхаӄ (alaxsxaq), which figuratively referred to the mainland (as opposed to the Catherine Archipelago). The word literally translates as "the object to which the action of the sea is directed." The Aleut name was translated into Russian as Аляска (Alyaska). Though the name was originally used solely for the peninsula of the same name, the Russians gradually adopted the word as a colloquial/poetic name for all of Russia's North American territory.

History

Main articles: History of Alaska and Timeline

Russian Expansion

Governor Alexander Baranov.

Under the leadership of Alexander Andreyevich Baranov throughout the early 1800s, the Russian Empire began to solidify their power within the Pacific Northwest of North America by means of exploration and expansion. Their most ambitious goal of expanding into the Californias was achieved in 1812 when Ivan Kuskov (under the support of Baranov) established a base of operations along the Slavianka River (Fortress Ross). Early enthusiasm by both Baranov and Kuskov helped to encourage further settlement in the region. While most early settlers were initially fur traders and employees of the Russian-American Company, it would soon become populated by settlers from the agricultural regions of the Russian Empire (including criminals and exiles).

The growing Russian presence brought inevitable tensions with Spain (who held initial claims to the territory). Russians justified their claims on the grounds that they were well north of Spain's northernmost port (San Francisco) and that no other Europeans settlements had been established prior to the Russians. With the ongoing wars of independence across Latin America, Spanish ships were ordered to remove the Russian settlers from the region. Despite hopes of a simple operation, Aleut fishermen spotted the ships approaching and alerted the colony. The subsequent battle ended with the colonists able to defend Fort Ross and forced the Spanish ships to retreat. Once the word reached Saint Petersburg about the unprovoked attack by Spain, the Russian Empire declared war.

Fortress Ross (circa 1828).

The war between Russia and Spain would continue for another three years, with most of the fighting taking place in Alta California. The conflict soon turned in favor of the Russians as Mexico established an alliance with the Russian Empire (both sides wanting the Spanish out). The Treaty of Saint Petersburg marked the formal end to the fighting in 1825. The treaty stipulated Spain was to relinquish its claims to the Pacific Northwest over to Russia. Mexico voluntarily gave up any claims to the Ross Colony, and years later would agreed to sell additional territory. Along with the Napoleonic Wars and the Finnish War, the Great Western War further established the Russian Empire as a great power.

Relations with the United Kingdom and the United States became mixed throughout the early 19th Century. The USA reluctantly abandoned their goals of expanding to the Pacific Ocean and would soon look elsewhere. Following the Texas Revolution, Russia became a mediator between Mexico and the US in resolving the situation peacefully. But following the Canadian Revolution and new tensions with the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire began to organize its territories in North America. The governing of the colonies were removed from the Russian-American Company and Russian America was organized into three integral oblasts: Alaska (Pavlovskaia), New Russia (New Archangel), and Oregon (Ross).

Gold Rushes

Gold prospector in Sonoma.

The discovery of gold in 1848 effectively changed the region as people from around the world rushed to the region to get rich. The influx of new settlers into the region prompted the Russian Empire to establish the Sonoma Oblast in 1850. The once minor settlement of Ross quickly grew into a major city on the Pacific Ocean. Other settlements would arise within the region; including Vladikaskady, Kuskovsk, Shasta, and Zavalishino.

The wave of immigration also helped to push infrastructural projects within the region. Among the most noted was the construction of the Russian-American Telegraph line, which was also proposed as an alternative to the many failed Transatlantic Telegraph Cables at the time. Construction on the joint Russian-American-British project began in 1865, with the project being a symbolic failure after the announcement of a successful transatlantic line in 1867. Despite the setbacks, the project continued as an Imperial connection, with the project being completed in 1872. The subsequent monetary problems within the British colonies in the area prompted them to sell the colonies to the Russian Empire in 1872.

Additional projects were the construction of the first transcontinental railroad in the 1880s and the railway system connection Ross and the northernmost settlements for the first time. The new inter-connectivity helped further populate the north (as access to raw materials was easier for stable living). Once minor fishing and fur trading settlements like Nikolayevsk-Amerikansky, Nooshagak, and Slavorossiysk began to industrialize themselves in order to sell their products more quickly with the southern settlements and beyond.

Sled dogs in Davydovsk, Yukon.

The northern portions of Russian America would expand further following the discovery of several gold mines across the Yukon River region by the turn of the century. A new wave of immigration and infrastructural expansion began across Russian America. The use of railroads helped to keep the region active, but most still relied heavily on sled dogs to keep connection between the gold regions and the railroad hubs farther south.

Independence

Throughout its existence, the colonists of Russian America had viewed their isolation from the Russian Empire as both a blessing and a curse. It was during this time that a separate Alaskan identity had developed and calls for greater autonomy began to become louder. Such movements only became more pronounced in the early 20th Century as Alaska's place within the globe became more active. This became apparent during the Russo-Japanese War, where Russian Americans bore the brunt of the fighting against Japan (becoming Alaska's first major war since the Great Western War a century before). Despite their victory in the war, a series of rebellions broke out across the Empire (among the rebels included Alaskans). Tsar Nicholas II would reluctantly agree to give Russian America more autonomy, though hopes of establishing a commonwealth were quickly ignored. Under the reforms, Russian America was allowed to have a democratic legislature (the state duma), though the Tsar retained the power to dissolve the body at will (which took place following the first election).

Alaskan troops in Manchuria.

It was only during the chaos of World War I that independence became a reality. The Alaskan Republic was declared on March 8, 1917. Despite several failed efforts to recapture their colonies, the monarchy was overthrown in November the same year (leading to the collapse of the Russian Empire). The new Communist government of Russia, led by Vladimir Lenin, formally recognized Alaska's independence. Ironically, the collapse of the Russian Empire only brought more conflict within Alaska. The influx of White Émigrés quickly conflicted with the original settlers.

The internal fighting resulted in the breakup of the Alaskan Republic, resulting in decades of war. The south was dominated by liberal democracies, among them including the Doug-controlled nation of Columbia (which sought to be either reincorporated into the British Empire or gain statehood in the United States). The northern nations were much more radical, with continued fighting between the [now] White-controlled Alaskan Republic (headed by Nicholas the Younger) and the communist Alaskan Socialist Republic. Fighting between the Reds and the Whites came to a halt following the death of Nicholas the Younger in 1929 and the subsequent coup d'état which brought a fully democratic government into power.

President Mikhail Luchkovich.

Under the leadership of Mikhail Luchkovich, the newly democratized Alaskan Republic began talks to reunite Alaska as a single nation. Unification talks were accelerated following the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and culminated into the temporary "Krakh Constitution" weeks later between the Alaskan Republic and the Oregonian Republic. A formal constitution was adopted in 1931, at which point Luchkovich was elected as the nation's first president. Commonwealth of Columbia and the Sonoman People's Republic rejoined Alaska in 1934 and 1935 (respectively). The administrations of Luchkovich and his successor, Taras Ferley, established an uneasy truce with the Alaskan Socialist Republic (which Luchkovich hoped would peacefully be reunited with Alaska). Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, conflict resumed with the ASR. The Communist government quickly collapse following the capture of Nooshagak in 1942, resulting the complete reunification of Alaska. A new constitution was adopted following the election of Dmitry Yakimishchak in 1945.

Government and Politics

President Ivan Kasich.

The Alaskan Democratic Federative Republic is a federation and a presidential republic. The President of Alaska is elected every six-years using an electoral college (one of the few nations which still uses this process for selecting their leader), where electors are democratically elected by the citizens of the nation. The president is elected to serve a single six-year term in office, being barred from ever holding the office following their tenure. The current President of Alaska is Ivan Kasich.

The General Congress is the bicameral legislature of Alaska, comprised of the Senate (upper house) and the State Duma (lower house). Each governorate is entitled to five senators each within the Senate, while deputies of the State Duma are tallied based on the population of each governorate. Both chambers are headed by a Chairman, who is elected among their peers. Arkady Sashin is the current Chairman of the Senate, while Vsevolod Kantor is the current Chairman of the State Duma. Because Alaska does not have a vice presidency, the Chairman of the Senate is second in line in the event the presidency becomes vacant.

Alaskan politics are currently dominated by two political parties: the center-right Evergreens and the center-left Movement for Peace and Freedom. A third political party, the Doug minority Civil Alliance, currently plays a minor role in both chambers of the General Congress (as well as local elections).

Administrative Divisions

Main article: Governorates of Alaska

Governorates of Alaska.

The Alaskan Democratic Federative Republic is a federation comprised of 18 governorates (Russian: губерния, guberniya). The governorates are further divided into uyezds (уезд) and independent cities. As their name suggests, each governorate is headed by an elected governor (губернатор, gubernator). Each governorate operates under their own constitution and possess general autonomy over their internal affairs.

Prior to independence, Alaska was an integral part of the Russian Empire and divided into six oblasts in 1917 — Alaska, Columbia, Oregon, Sitka, Sonoma, and Yukon. With the adoption of an American-styled federation, these original oblasts were elevated and partitioned into the modern 18 governorates. The term gubernost (губерность, lit. "governorate-hood") refers to the admission of new governorates into the Alaskan federation. The most recent to achieve gubernost was the Far North in 1994 (prior to which this, the Far North was a territory of federal importance).

Demographics

Ethnography

A pie chart showing largest ancestral groups of Alaska.

As with many of the nations of the Western Hemisphere, Alaska is a country of immigrants. The majority of Alaskans can trace their ancestries back to the various ethnic groups of the Russian Empire, with East Slavs being dominant. Those of Ukrainian descent currently make up the largest single group within Alaska, followed closely by those of Russian descent. Other prominent Slavic groups include: Belarusians, Bulgarians, Croats, Macedonians, Poles, and Serbs. Those of Finnish and Karelian descent currently form the largest non-Slavic group to have immigrated from the Russian Empire. Other such prominent groups include: Armenians, Estonians, Georgians, Latvians, Lithuanians, and Manchus. Due to the predominance of the Eastern Orthodox Church within Alaska, the many Orthodox immigrants to the New World often chose to settle in Alaska over other areas. These groups include: Amharas, Assyrians, Copts, Greeks, Romanians, and Tigrays.

A group of Ukrainian Alaskan dancers in traditional dress.

Central Alaska (most notably within Columbia) are populated mostly by those of English and Scottish descent. Many can trace their ancestry back to the original British settlers to the region during the early 19th Century. Despite the area being sold to Russia in 1867, many of the British settlers remained in the area and developed in a distinctive group of people known as the Dougs (which currently make up a fourth of Alaska's population). It was during the latter half of the 19th Century that Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes began to immigrate to Alaska, settling mostly within New Russia (which has often been compared to Scandinavia). Germans also chose to settle across Alaska, which also included many Volga Germans. Though not as numerous, Americans and Mexicans have also settled within Alaska (mostly along the border of their respective countries).

Asians currently make up the largest non-European group within Alaska, with those of Han Chinese descent making up the largest single group. Other prominent peoples of this group include: Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese. A small number of Africans have settled in Alaska, with most tracing their ancestry back to escaped and freed slaves from the United States. Despite the mostly immigrant population, Native Alaskans currently make up roughly one-twentieth of the population (with most non-native Alaskans having some traces of native ancestry). Currently, Aleuts and Inuits make up the largest groups.

Languages

The Alaskan Democratic Federative Republic does not recognize any official language on the federal level. For all intense and purposes, the Russian language is the predominant national language. As of the 2017 Census, the vast majority of Alaskans were either native or fluent speakers of Russian. As a member of the Russophone, Alaska also holds a unique position as the only nation in the Western Hemisphere to use the Cyrillic alphabet. The Alaskan dialects of Russian, while mutually intelligible to speakers of Standard Russian, have been heavily influenced by other languages in the region (such as Aleut, English, and Spanish) and from immigrant groups (such as Chinese, Greek, and Ukrainian).

A message in both English and Russian, stating that the Russian language is the preferred means of communication at said location.

The second most-spoken language in Alaska is English, with a majority of Alaskans having some understanding of the language. Historically, English was the administrative language of the British colonies of Columbia, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and Vancouver Island; and would remain so for decades following the Columbia Sale in 1867. Early attempts to Russify the area have been mixed, yet the English language remained dominate in this area up until the 1940s. Since then, English has sharply declined as the first language of these areas (being replaced by Russian). In contrast, the overall use of English as a second language has been increasing, due especially to Alaska's relations with the United States.

Other prominent languages spoken in Alaska include: Armenian, Chinese, Finnish, German, Greek, Hindustani, Japanese, Korean, Manchu, Norwegian, Polish, Punjabi, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Yiddish, and Yugoslav (to name a few). Among the Alaskan Indians, Aleut remains the most-spoken. Haida, Inuit, Pomo, Tlingit, and Yupik are also spoken by their respective communities.

Religion

Alaska is constitutionally a secular state. This includes articles which defines the separation of church and state, as well as guaranteeing the religious freedom for all citizens.

From a cultural and demographic viewpoint, Alaska is a Christian-majority state. Unlike their continental neighbors, Alaska is unique for being the only nation in the New World to be dominated by Eastern Christians. This began in the late 18th Century as the Russian Empire spread Christianity, by means of the Russian Orthodox Church, to the native populations of the Pacific Northwest. Later immigrants to Alaska would hailed from the Russian Empire, as well as other territories of Eastern Christian origin (such as Armenia and Greece).

Saint Michael's Cathedral in
New Archangel.

Those adhering to the Eastern Orthodox Church makeup the majority of Alaska's population, with the Orthodox Church in Alaska (OCA) having jurisdiction over all of Alaska and the New World. The OCA gained full communion in the 1970s, which occurred decades after Alaska's independence from Russia and formal separation from the Russian Orthodox Church following the Russian Revolution. Following their separation from the ROC, Alaskan Eastern Orthodoxy began to incorporate elements of non-Russian churches (such as Bulgarian, Georgian, Greek, Macedonian, Romanian, Serbian, and Ukrainian). Coexisting with the OCA is the semi-autonomous Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, as well as several factions of Old Believers and Spiritual Christians (such as the Doukhobors and the Molokans).

Adherents of the Oriental Orthodox Church also have a strong presents across Alaska. Unlike the already established Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy was first introduced to Alaska by Armenian settlers during the late 19th Century, as well as Copts and Ethiopians throughout the 20th Century. Off the churches in communion operating in Alaska, the Armenian Apostolic Church is currently the largest by adherence.

Outside the norms of Eastern Christianity, Anglicans and Protestants collectively make up the largest population of Alaska's Western Christians. Both practices were introduced by American, British, and Scandinavian explorers and colonists throughout the 19th Century. In order of active followers, the largest Protestant groups include: Pentecostals, Lutherans, Baptists, Adventists, Methodists, Presbyterians, as well as a sizable minority of Russian Mennonites. While the Catholic Church possesses a strong following across the country, the vast majority of Alaskan Catholics tend to worship in Eastern-Rite (Greek Catholic) churches. The last major group of Christians include those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

Yekaterinburg Boulevard Temple in Ross.

Roughly comprising of 12% of the population, Judaism is the second-largest religion practiced in Alaska. Judaism was introduced to Alaska throughout the 19th Century by Jewish settlers from the Russian Empire (especially the Pale of Settlement), with most settling in Alaska to escape the Pogroms and the Holocaust. Among those who belong to a synagogue, most adhered to the teachings of Reform Judaism. Other Jewish groups include Conservatives, Orthodox, and Reconstructionists.

Buddhists (at about 10% of the population) comprise the third-largest religious group in Alaska. Buddhism was first introduced by Kalmyk settlers during the early 19th Century, with later immigration from East Asia only helping its expansion. Later cooperation with European colonists and Alaskan Indians would culminate in the formation of New World Buddhism, which has emerged as the most-practiced school among Alaskans. Along with NWB, the schools of Mahayana and Vajrayana are also practiced within the country, as well as a small population of Theravada Buddhists.

Other prominent religious groups in Alaska include (in order of prevalence): Hindus, Muslims, Taoists, Shintoists, Neo-Pegans, Sikhs, Scientologists, Bahá'ís, and Zoroastrians (among others). Approximately 15% of Alaskans describe themselves as being either spiritual but not religious, irreligious, agnostic, and/or atheist.