From the 17th century until the mid-19th century, China effectively limited significant Russian expansion into the relatively prosperous Far Eastern territories. Not until a French whaleboat visited the area in 1851 did Europe become aware of the region that would eventually house the port of Vladivostok.
Capitalizing on China's weakened stance in 1858, Russia took control of all the land north of the Amur River. Following this, in 1859, utilizing a warship named "America," the Russian Governor-General of Siberia, N. N. Muraviev Amursky, conducted an exploration of the coastal regions of the maritime territory, an occurrence now commemorated as Peter the Great Day.
During the era of Peter the Great, which fostered ties with enlightened Europe, the Russian population was motivated to embark on explorations of previously unknown lands. This endeavor aimed not solely at boosting the state treasury, but also at advancing scientific inquiry and addressing the demands of Russian trade and industry.
By 1860, Russian forces had taken hold of the territory to the east of the Ussuri River. In July of that same year, troops and equipment were dispatched to establish the initial Russian military outpost along the southern coastline. This calculated action was propelled by the Russian government's search for an optimal location to accommodate a naval flotilla and provide winter shelter. The initial group of Russian settlers tasked with erecting the outpost reached the shores of Golden Horn on June 20, 1860.
Over the course of time, this outpost developed into the present-day city recognized as Vladivostok, a name derived from the Russian words "vladet," signifying dominion, and "vostok," meaning east.
The city's early growth was disorderly, gradually giving way to a more coherent layout over time. The city's initial character, marked by its military, bureaucratic, and capitalist elements in the early 20th century, underwent only surface-level changes due to the Bolshevik Revolution. It was only in the 1930s, with the onset of the Five Year Plans, that substantial endeavors to rejuvenate the older sections of the city were merged with ambitious proposals to construct a model Soviet urban center.
Founding and Growth of Vladivostok
