USA HISTORY

What territorial acquisition was labeled “Seward’s Folly” by the American public?

(A) Hawaii

(B) ** Alaska

(C) Philippines

(D) Cuba

Concept note-1: -Seward signs a treaty with Russia for the purchase of Alaska for $7 million. Despite the bargain price of roughly two cents an acre, the Alaskan purchase was ridiculed in Congress and in the press as “Seward’s Folly, ” “Seward’s icebox, ” and President Andrew Johnson’s “polar bear garden.”

Concept note-2: -The acquisition of Alaska by the United States on March 30, 1867, was dubbed “Seward’s Folly” or ridiculed as “Seward’s Icebox” by critics at the time.

Concept note-3: -Today marks the anniversary of one of the most controversial land deals in American history: the Alaska Purchase or Seward’s Folly. 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.

Concept note-4: -Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. Critics attacked Seward for the secrecy surrounding the deal, which came to be known as “Seward’s folly.” The press mocked his willingness to spend so much on “Seward’s icebox” and Andrew Johnson’s “polar bear garden.”

Concept note-5: -The 1867 Treaty of Cession, in which the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian empire, marked an unusually peaceful transition.