USA HISTORY

What was one benefit of the U.S. purchasing Alaska?

(A) ** gold

(B) people

(C) soil

(D) water

Concept note-1: -This purchase ended Russia’s presence in North America and ensured U.S. access to the Pacific northern rim.

Concept note-2: -Though mocked by some at the time, the 1867 purchase of Alaska came to be regarded as a masterful deal. The treaty enlarged the United States by 586, 000 square miles, an area more than twice the size of Texas, all for the bargain price of around two cents an acre.

Concept note-3: -With this check, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. In 1866 the Russian government offered to sell the territory of Alaska to the United States. Secretary of State William H. Seward, enthusiastic about the prospects of American Expansion, negotiated the deal for the Americans.

Concept note-4: -[2] Since 1959, Alaska has produced $180 billion worth of oil, or 85 percent of the state budget. [3] These figures could grow––as the federal government holds 60 percent of Alaska’s territory, the output might grow in case of sudden demand surges. Thus, Alaska is a strategically important area of the United States.