Northeast Asia (1744–1755 CE)

Russian Fur Trade Expansion and Maritime Challenges

Between 1744 and 1755, Russian maritime and fur-trading activities in Northeast Asia—a region encompassing the easternmost areas of Siberia (east of 130°E), the extreme northeastern portion of China's Heilongjiang province, the northern half of Russia's Primorsky Krai, and most of the island of Hokkaido (excluding its southwestern portion)—intensified, marking a critical era of economic expansion and territorial consolidation.

Russian fur hunters, inspired by the expeditions of Vitus Bering, significantly increased their activities in the North Pacific, particularly among the Aleutian Islands, exploiting the valuable sea otter populations first identified east of Kamchatka. The harvested furs, including sea otter, fur seal, and arctic fox pelts, were transported back to Okhotsk, despite the port's inherent limitations. From Okhotsk, these pelts were carried inland, eventually reaching the Chinese market through the Mongolian trading town of Kyakhta, established for Russian trade by the 1727 Treaty of Kyakhta.

By mid-century, Okhotsk continued to grapple with considerable logistical challenges, exacerbated by its remote location and harsh climate. The town had grown minimally, housing only thirty-seven peasant families alongside a small number of Yakut cattlemen. The limited local pasture meant pack horses often had to return to Yakutsk unloaded, underscoring the logistical difficulties facing this frontier settlement.

Despite these hardships, Russian maritime expansion persisted, driven by the lucrative fur trade, which continued to reshape indigenous economies and ecological balances in Northeast Asia. This period solidified Russian presence in the region, laying a foundation for further colonial developments in subsequent decades.