Russian–American Company (RAC)

Russian–American Company (RAC) – the Russian colonial trading joint-stock company was founded by Gregory Shelikhov and Nikolai Rezanov, was approved by the Decree of Emperor Pavel I of July 8 (19), 1799, and existed until the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867. It was formed by the merger of the Northeastern Company (founded in 1787) and American United Companies (founded in 1797), the owners of which were spouses G.I. Shelikhov and N.A. Shelikhova, as well as I.I. Golikov, M.S. Golikov, and N.P. Mylnikov; with the activities of these companies, the developing of Russian America began. The idea of creating the RAC was supported by the Imperial Court and top Russian government officials – supporters of the expansion of Russian influence in the Pacific Ocean and North America, many of whom later became shareholders of the new company. The RAC replaced many private merchant companies set up in the region after 1741 as a result of numerous trade expeditions of first Russian...