On March 30, 1867, the United States reached an agreement to purchase Alaska from Russia for a price of $7.2 million. The Treaty with Russia was negotiated and signed by Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl. Critics of the deal to purchase Alaska called it "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox." Opposition to the purchase of Alaska subsided with the Klondike Gold Strike in 1896.
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United States Statutes at Large (15 Stat. 539)
As a seasoned historian and enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricate details surrounding the acquisition of Alaska by the United States, allow me to delve into the wealth of evidence and insights that solidify my expertise on this fascinating historical event.
The purchase of Alaska on March 30, 1867, stands as a pivotal moment in American history, underscoring the visionary acumen of Secretary of State William Seward. The negotiations leading to the Treaty with Russia were a delicate diplomatic dance, meticulously conducted by Seward and Russian Minister Edouard de Stoeckl. The resulting agreement saw the United States acquiring the vast territory of Alaska from Russia for the seemingly modest sum of $7.2 million.
This transaction faced vehement opposition, with detractors labeling it as "Seward's Folly" or the pejorative "Seward's Icebox." The critics contended that the purchase was a wasteful and misguided venture, questioning the strategic and economic value of a seemingly frozen and remote expanse. However, time would prove them wrong, as subsequent events unfolded to vindicate the foresight behind this decision.
The Treaty for the Cession of Alaska is documented in the United States Statutes at Large, specifically in Volume 15, page 539. This legal repository underscores the formal and binding nature of the agreement, memorializing the transfer of Alaska from Russian to American hands.
Opposition to the Alaska purchase began to wane with the advent of the Klondike Gold Strike in 1896. The discovery of gold in the Klondike region not only dispelled doubts about the strategic importance of Alaska but also ignited a rush of prospectors and settlers, transforming the territory into a valuable economic asset for the United States.
In summary, the acquisition of Alaska, initially met with skepticism and criticism, ultimately proved to be a masterstroke, shaping the destiny of a vast and resource-rich region. The evidence lies not only in the meticulous documentation of the treaty but also in the transformative impact that events such as the Klondike Gold Strike had on the perception and reality of Alaska's worth to the United States.
