Before the United States purchased Alaska in 1867, the region was under Russian control. The Russian government established a presence in Alaska in the 18th century, primarily for the fur trade. However, their control was limited, particularly in more remote areas, and the population consisted mainly of indigenous peoples along with Russian settlers and fur traders.
The Russian Empire faced various challenges, such as difficulties in managing the territory, economic strains, and increasingly lower profitability from fur trading due to overhunting and competition. By the mid-19th century, the Russian government was looking to sell Alaska, primarily because it felt the territory was becoming difficult to defend and maintain.
In summary, the government in Alaska was not stable in the sense of a robust, self-sustaining administration; it was largely a colonial outpost of the Russian Empire, facing numerous challenges and limited control over the region outside of certain areas. The instability and perceived challenges to managing the territory led to the eventual decision to sell Alaska to the U.S.