Tornado Alley (PROG)

[B402]

The Alaska Purchase was the 1867 acquisition of Alaska from the Russian Empire by the United States for $7.2 million, or about two cents per acre, negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward. Initially mocked as "Seward's Folly" due to skepticism about its value, the purchase was later vindicated by the discovery of gold and its strategic importance, eventually becoming a U.S. state in 1959.

Key Details
Date of Treaty: March 30, 1867
Date of Transfer: October 18, 1867
Price: $7.2 million ($132 million in 2024)

Key Figures: William H. Seward (U.S. Secretary of State) and Russian Minister Eduard Stoeckl

Why Russia Sold
Russia was facing financial difficulties and saw the territory as difficult to defend, especially from Great Britain.
They believed the land was not as valuable as it might become and wanted to get rid of it before it was lost in a conflict.

U.S. Reaction and Vindication
Many Americans initially opposed the purchase, calling it "Seward's Folly," "Seward's Icebox," or "Seward's Polar Bear Garden".

Skepticism faded after the discovery of gold in the Klondike in 1896, proving the territory's immense natural resources.

Its strategic military value became clear during World War II.

Outcome
The purchase ended Russia's presence in North America and secured U.S. access to the Pacific northern rim.
Alaska became the 49th U.S. state on January 3, 1959.

.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Purchase