Chronologically presented is the slow development of Russian language instruction in America from the latter part of the 18th century at Kodiak, Alaska, to the establishment of large undergraduate departments at leading universities. The influence of Harvard University, the University of California, Columbia University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pennsylvania is well documented. Sputnik of 1957 serves as a major chronological division in this historical overview. Economic, political, cultural, and religious influences behind the growth of Russian study and forces opposed to its expansion are given detailed attention. Appendixes list past and present officers of the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages. An extensive index is included. (RL)