Answer: No other European power had established a presence in the area.
In the early 19th century, Russia had already established some colonies in Alaska, securing its presence in America. Russia was expanding East, across Siberia, and eventually started moving south, until it reached Northern California.
Americans who were involved in the sea otter business proposed some joint hunting expeditions with Russian supervisors and Native Alaskan hunters to hunt seals along the Californian coast. These expeditions allowed the Russian parties to observe large stretches of uncolonized land. This led to the conclusion that a Russian settlement could be established in California.
Human environmental intertaction
Well, (the way I see it) when Southern Brewers was the only coffee supplier in the market. They could have prices as high as they'd liked, where else would people get good coffee. And so, Albert Coffee than comes along charging less than the leading supplier. And than Café Brites comes and marks their prices lower than the both of them.
Southern Brewers had to lower prices in order to keep up business. People are more apt to buy low cost idems. So if they wanted to continue being a top supplier, they needed to lower prices.
