Why the Russian Colonization of the Americas Failed

[SilverKnight]

Why the Russian Colonization of the Americas Failed: Documentary

[KirillMazur]

1. Britain is a maritime empire and Russia is a continental one. Simply because Russia at that time did not have enough sea transport, therefore they could not keep California and Alaska. England had, on the contrary, the most powerful fleet at that time. Plus, the opening of the Panama Canal in the 19th century unleashed the hands of the United States in terms of shipping and it was already possible to control 2 coasts. Instead of swimming around South America every time. And then also the Russo-Japanese war crippled influence well at the beginning of the 20th century.

2. The over-centralization of power often justifies itself, but not for such a remote territory as America. The problem is in communications - if there are not enough developed ones, then management will be much weaker than in relatively decentralized states. An example of this is our Siberia.
American settlers had a great advantage over any enemy force: they had the ability to solve problems locally. Dispersed landholdings, elected city leaders, common law, religious pluralism, free contract, district militia - all this became the set of tools of the Anglosphere that was best suited for expansion (at that time).

3. Russia was unable to manage the colonies, because Russia never had colonies - they joined us voluntarily. We did not treat the local peoples as second-class people, they were not exterminated, they continued to practice their religion, they were not forcibly reforged. This is probably why some Ossetians or Yakuts still live quietly in their territories, speak their own language, and govern their regions. Where are the North American Indians now? Blessed memory to them.

[SilverKnight]

Sea transport/ logistics IS KEY. Even now a days.