Alaska Purchase

Quick Facts: Who was Alaska Purchase?

Subject:

Alaska Purchase

Known for:

The 1867 transfer of Russian America to the United States for $7.2 million.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Alaska Purchase in 1867 resulted in the transfer of Russian America to the United States for $7.2 million (equivalent to $132 million in 2024). On April 9 of that year, the United States Senate ratified a bilateral treaty that had been signed on March 30, and American sovereignty became legally effective across the territory on October 18. During the first half of the 19th century, the Russian Empire had established a colonial presence in parts of North America, but few Russians ever settled in Alaska. Alexander II of Russia, having faced a catastrophic defeat in the Crimean War, began exploring the possibility of selling the state's Alaskan possessions, which, in any future war, would be difficult to defend from the United Kingdom. To this end, William H. Seward, the U.S. secretary of state at the time, entered into negotiations with Russian diplomat Eduard de Stoeckl towards the United States' acquisition of Alaska after the American Civil War.

Career & Major Achievements

Seward and Steckel agreed to a treaty for the sale on March 30, 1867. At an original cost of $0.02 per acre ($0.37 per acre in 2024), the United States had grown by 586,412 sq mi (1,518,800 km2). Reactions to the Alaska Purchase among Americans were mostly positive, as many believed that Alaska would serve as a base to expand American trade in Asia. Some opponents labeled the purchase as "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox" as they contended that the United States had acquired useless land. Nearly all Russian settlers left Alaska in the aftermath of the purchase; Alaska would remain sparsely populated until the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1896.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Originally organized as the Department of Alaska, the area was renamed the District of Alaska in 1884 and the Territory of Alaska in 1912, ultimately becoming the modern-day state of Alaska in 1959. Russian America was settled by promyshlenniki, merchants and fur trappers who expanded through Siberia. They arrived in Alaska in 1732, and in 1799 the Russian-American Company (RAC) received a charter to hunt for fur. No colony was established, but the Russian Orthodox Church sent missionaries to the natives and built churches. About 700 Russians enforced sovereignty in a territory over twice as large as Texas.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1732: 1732 Milestone — They arrived in Alaska in 1732, and in 1799 the Russian-American Company (RAC) received a charter to hunt for fur.
2. 1867: 1867 Milestone — The Alaska Purchase in 1867 resulted in the transfer of Russian America to the United States for $7.
3. 1884: 1884 Milestone — Originally organized as the Department of Alaska, the area was renamed the District of Alaska in 1884 and the Territory of Alaska in 1912, ultimately becoming the modern-day state of Alaska in 1959.
4. 1896: 1896 Milestone — Nearly all Russian settlers left Alaska in the aftermath of the purchase; Alaska would remain sparsely populated until the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1896.
5. 2024: 2024 Milestone — 2 million (equivalent to $132 million in 2024).

Notable Quotes by Alaska Purchase

“They might go as far as $5,000,000”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Alaska Purchase

True or False: “The primary reason Russia sold Alaska was to fund the modernization of its Siberian infrastructure.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Russia's main concern was that the remote colony would be easily conquered by British forces in a future conflict with the United States.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Bassermann — Historical peer (Born in 1867) (1867): Esteemed German stage and screen actor, celebrated for his dramatic versatility.
• Amy Beach — Historical peer (Born in 1867) (1867): Pioneering American composer and pianist, celebrated for her large-scale art music.
• Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud — Historical peer (Died in 2024) (2024): Somaliland politician, served as President from 2010 to 2017.
• Akira Toriyama — Historical peer (Died in 2024) (2024): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Historical peer (Born in 1896) (1896): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Alfonso Caso — Historical peer (Born in 1896) (1896): Pioneering Mexican archaeologist renowned for pre-Columbian studies.
• Alexander Belyaev — Historical peer (Born in 1884) (1884): Pioneering Soviet science fiction writer, known as 'Russia's Jules Verne'
• Alexander Bustamante — Historical peer (Born in 1884) (1884): Pioneering Jamaican politician, labor leader, and first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Born in 1912) (1912): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa — Historical peer (Born in 1912) (1912): First and only Prime Minister of Nigeria, a dominant figure in the nation's independence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alaska Purchase