Russian/US history lesson:
On March 30, 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska for 7.2 million dollars. Critics attacked Seward for the secrecy surrounding the deal with Russia, which came to be known as "Seward's folly." They mocked his willingness to spend so much on "Seward's icebox" and Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden."
Under the aegis of explorer Vitus Jonassen Bering, Russia established a presence in Alaska in the early eighteenth century. Russia initially approached the United States about selling the territory during President James Buchanan's administration, but the Civil War stalled negotiations. Seward, secretary of state under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, supported American expansion and was eager to acquire Alaska. However, convincing the Senate that Alaska was an important addition to the United States proved difficult. The upper house ratified the treaty by just one vote.
The discovery of gold in the late 1890s increased Alaska's value as a U.S. possession and boosted its population. In 1912, the region was granted territorial status. The political situation stagnated until Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands of Agattu, Attu, and Kiska Islands during World War II—one of few battles on U.S. soil since the Civil War. U.S. response to the threat included construction of the Alcan Highway and an increased military presence in the region.
(Copied and pasted from the Library of Congress)
Mom: Is there anything you'd like to add?
1 comment:
Not really too much to add, but did you know Oregon had problems for several years in that Russia, the United States, and Britain all claimed the land as their own? Actually, when I began to read this entry I almost fainted...have you, my son suddenly remembered Sewards Folly? Molly and Zac, your Dad now love history! Dream on!!! It reminds me of when you were little and came home talking about General Lee. Again...I thought you had a sudden interest in U.S. history. I should have know it was from the Dukes of Hazzard.
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