On this day in 1867, United States Secretary of State William Seward signed a deal acquiring Alaska, an agreement that was ridiculed by some as “Seward’s Folly” and opposed in the House.
In today’s popular culture, Seward is best known for his association with Abraham Lincoln. But his name is also forever linked to a decision back that brought Alaska into the fold as a United States territory, at a bargain price: The cost for Alaska in 1867 was $7.2 million, which is about $113 million in 2017 dollars.
Seward negotiated the deal in an extended bargaining session with Russian minister to the United States Eduard de Stoeckl on March 30, 1867. The Senate passed the treaty a few days later, but the House held up funding the purchase for more than a year, as the public debate raged over the purchase price and soundness of Seward’s decision.
On October 18, 1867, the United States took possession of Alaska from Russia under the terms of a formal land transfer, in a ceremony in the town of Sitka.
The Alaska Purchase gave the United States a land mass of 586,412 square miles, an area about twice the size of Texas. But it came at a time when the United States had just ended the Civil War, and it had an abundance of underpopulated land.
Prior to World War II, Alaska suffered from a bit of an inferiority complex and its own internal politics. In the wake of "Seward’s Folly,” Alaska avoided national attention until its Gold Rush began in the 1890s.
It became a territory in 1912 and started making noise about becoming a state four years later. As its strategic importance became obvious during World War II, in 1946 Alaska held a referendum asking Congress to consider it for statehood.
The Democrats during the 1950s favored Alaska as the 49th state, while the Republicans wanted Hawaii admitted by itself. The reason was that each new state gets two U.S. senators and at least one new House member, and the admission of a new state can swing votes in Congress.
Alaska became the 49th state in January 1959 after a compromise was reached in Congress.
As an avid historian and enthusiast with a deep understanding of United States history, particularly the acquisition of Alaska in 1867, I can confidently provide a wealth of information to substantiate my expertise in this area.
Firstly, the purchase of Alaska, commonly referred to as "Seward's Folly," was indeed orchestrated by United States Secretary of State William Seward. This monumental decision took place on March 30, 1867, when Seward negotiated the deal with Russian minister Eduard de Stoeckl. The treaty was subsequently passed by the Senate, but public debate and opposition in the House delayed the funding for over a year.
The acquisition of Alaska was finalized on October 18, 1867, with a formal land transfer ceremony in the town of Sitka. The cost of this vast land, totaling 586,412 square miles (approximately twice the size of Texas), was a mere $7.2 million in 1867, which equates to about $113 million in 2017 dollars.
Alaska's initial reception was mixed, with some ridiculing the purchase as a folly, but its strategic importance became evident during World War II. Prior to that, Alaska faced an inferiority complex and internal political challenges. It only gained national attention with the onset of the Gold Rush in the 1890s.
Alaska became a territory in 1912, and the push for statehood gained momentum after World War II. In 1946, a referendum was held, and in 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States. The statehood process was influenced by political considerations, with Democrats supporting Alaska's admission in the 1950s, while Republicans sought Hawaii's admission separately.
Now, let's delve into the relevant constitutional concepts mentioned in the provided text:
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Article I: This article of the United States Constitution pertains to the legislative branch. It establishes the powers and responsibilities of Congress, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the context of the Alaska Purchase, the Senate played a crucial role in approving the treaty.
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Article II: This article outlines the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch, including the President. While not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, the negotiations and decisions regarding the Alaska Purchase fall under the jurisdiction of the executive branch, with Secretary of State William Seward representing the United States.
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Article IV: This article of the Constitution addresses the relationship between the states and the federal government, as well as the admission of new states. Section 3 specifically deals with the process of admitting new states into the Union. In the case of Alaska, it transitioned from being a territory to a state, highlighting the constitutional framework outlined in Article IV.
In summary, my in-depth knowledge of this historical event and the relevant constitutional concepts allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Alaska Purchase and its significance in the broader context of United States history.
