Russia in Pacific Waters, 1715-1825

Download or read book Russia in Pacific Waters, 1715-1825 written by Glynn Barratt and published by UBC Press. This book was released on 2011-11-01 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first study in Russian or Western literature of the rise and fall of Russian naval influence in the North Pacific Ocean from the time of Peter the Great to Tsar Nicholas I. The author deals with a neglected area: inherent tension between Russian naval and mercantile interests and the origins of international rivalry in the North Pacific at large. Barratt shows that Russia's motives for early expeditions to the Pacific were to promote science, exploration, and trade. But when imperialist powers vied for territory and resources in the area, military confrontation became a possibility. .