The first Russians reached America in 1747 when fur traders arrived in Alaska. Some settled in the area and the Russian Orthodox Church became active in the region in 1795. When Alaska was purchased by the United States in 1867 most Russians living in the area returned home. It was not until the later stages of the 19th century that large numbers of Russians emigrated to the United States. The main reason for this was the wave of pogroms in southern Russia against the Jewish community that followed the assassination of Alexander II in 1881.
Research suggests that over half settled in New York and Pennsylvania.
Most were unskilled and were forced to accept low-paid jobs in factories and mines. Large numbers of Russians settled in the Lower East Side of New York . One trade union activist, Abraham Cahan , emerged as the leader of this group and played a role in persuading a significant number to join the American Socialist Party . Others, such as Emma Goldman , Alexander Berkman , Senya Fleshin and Mollie Steimer , became involved in the emerging anarchist movement. There were several very important books written about Russian immigrant life.