Russia in Pacific Waters, 1715-1825
A Survey of the Origins of Russia's Naval Presence in the North and South Pacific
Description
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. .