AHC/WI: American Cossacks

In this scenario, a bunch of Cossacks somehow end up in America (either North or South; take your pick) and later established some sort of a state.

How will they influence the Americas' history? How will the Americas influence them? And, assuming that the US forms as OTL, what will they do with them?

POD is before the American Revolution.
 
Since the Russians had reached as far south as northern California by the early 1800s, and been active in North America since the 1740s, I'd say that Cossacks were in North America. Their influence on the USA is shown by the various fur trade treaties & eventual purchase of Alaska.

Your main problem would be that the Russians had just completed their conquest of Siberia and were clashing with the Chinese near the Amur, along with the Turks, Afghans, Iranians & British (in India) further west. Throw in Napoleon and the Russians just had too much on their plate to consider (or afford) serious & sustained colonization. Which is why they sold Alaska.
 
Since this isn't exclusive to the US, maybe increased immigration to Canada by Ukrainian Cossacks? Problem is, barring a total disintegration of order, they're not likely to get total independence, probably an autonomous state in Saskatchewan at best.
 
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