Falsification in the sources of the history of Russian America and their effects

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intentional or unintentional falsification of data, understatement of information, distortion of statistics, manipulation or invention of new facts are periodically encountered in official documents connected with Russian colonization of America. People in Alaska and St. Petersburg who managed the process of colonization, as well as the highest officials of the empire, resorted to such methods. Some falsifications were revealed during the time of Russian America, others continue their existence up to the present on the pages of the works of historians. The most negative effects resulted from falsifications based on which important and extremely rash management decisions were made. As an example, it is possible to cite the royal decree of 4 September 1821, which resulted in serious consequences for Russian America and the birth of the famous Monroe Doctrine in Washington, as well as press materials, documents, and notes of officials related to preparation for the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867.