Purchase of Alaska

About

The Alaska Purchase was a significant historical event in which the United States acquired Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867. The purchase was finalized for $7.2 million, equivalent to approximately $129 million today. This transaction marked the end of Russian expansion in North America and expanded U.S. territory by 586,412 square miles. The negotiations were led by U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and Russian diplomat Eduard de Stoeckl. The treaty was signed on March 30, 1867, and ratified by the U.S. Senate on May 15, 1867, with the transfer of sovereignty occurring on October 18, 1867. The purchase was initially met with skepticism, with critics labeling it "Seward's Folly" due to Alaska's perceived lack of value. However, the discovery of gold in the Yukon in 1896 highlighted Alaska's potential. The acquisition strategically positioned the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region and later proved crucial during World War II. Charles Sumner played a key role in securing Senate approval for the treaty, transforming from a skeptic to a strong supporter after extensive research. Alaska remained a territory until it became the 49th U.S. state on January 3, 1959.