State National Policy in the Activities of the Russian-American Company

The article is devoted to the consideration of the state national policy of the Russian Empire in the context of the activities of a Russian-American company in the 19th century, with a special focus on management practices and the cultural and spiritual development of Russian America. Based on the analysis of the main provisions of the company’s Charter, which reflect the priorities of the state for the maintenance and dissemination of Russian cultural and spiritual values in the new territories, it is concluded that the Russian-American Company has made significant efforts to build harmonious national relations between different peoples. Special attention is paid to the mechanisms of interaction with the indigenous population, issues of their protection, cultural integration, as well as spiritual and moral education. Aspects of the state policy towards Creole children, descendants of mixed marriages between company employees and representatives of indigenous peoples, are revealed. The role of education, support for Creole families, and the spread of Orthodox missionary activity in shaping the unique social environment of Russian America is emphasized. Based on archival documents and contemporary testimonies, examples of practical implementation of state policy are given: organization of schools, support for Creole families, vaccination, social protection and financial support. The article highlights the activities of missionaries, in particular, Innokenty Veniaminov, whose educational and pedagogical initiatives contributed to the integration of indigenous peoples and Creoles into the Russian cultural and spiritual tradition. The article highlights the specifics of regulating the legal status of the indigenous population involved in the activities of a Russian-American company, the mechanisms for protecting their interests, as well as the main directions of implementing Russian policy aimed at creating a stable and harmonious system of interethnic relations in a multinational society of Russian America. 

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