Replies to post #562895 on 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

[fuagf]

Trump has talked his way into a corner again in saying if we don't get it Russia or China will. Russia and China have made no more claim on Greenland than they have made anywhere else in the Arctic. Denmark and Greenland have said expand your bases and personnel, if you want, as you did in the early Cold War.

Denmark and Greenland have said to Trump, no problem about you using Greenland to boost your security, just it isn't for sale. And you shouldn't take it by force as that would be worse than reckless, it would cause irreparable damage to all the alliances that helped America become what it is.

And what it is the only reason Trump is as powerful as he is. Trump is doing his very best to fuck it up.

If you get more from your research which is relevant it let us know. It could be a positive for a change.

[janice shell]

Is it possible China is meeting with Denmark and negotiating for a base or two to protect the foreseeable arctic sea routes --

NO. That is NOT possible, though if it were, I wouldn't blame Denmark, frankly. Our original treaty--the one that establishes our rights there--is very, very generous. To us.

Is it possible Donnie will be remembered as the worst president our country has ever had?

He's already in the bottom five. And will end up as the worst, unless somebody goes overboard with nuclear weapons in the future.