Which European power was the first to colonize Alaska?

Russia was the first European power to colonize Alaska. During the 18th century, Russian explorers and fur traders made significant incursions into Alaska, driven by the pursuit of valuable resources such as sea otter pelts. The establishment of Russian America began in the late 1700s, with settlements and trading posts being developed along the Alaskan coast. This colonization was part of broader Russian expansion in North America, aiming to capitalize on the rich natural resources found in the region.

In contrast, France, England, and Spain did explore parts of North America and the Arctic but did not undertake colonization efforts in Alaska itself. France's primary focus was on Canada and the Mississippi River, England was more involved in the eastern parts of what would become the United States, and Spain's interests lay primarily in the southwestern regions and the Pacific, rather than Alaska. Thus, Russia's extensive engagement and eventual establishment of settlements in Alaska firmly position it as the first European colonizer of the area.