USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -1867: Alaska territory purchased from Russia for $7 million. 1898: Hawaii annexed as a United States territory. 1959: Alaska and Hawaii admitted, respectively, as the 49th and 50th states of the Union.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hawaii was colonized by Americans. American settlers displaced the Native Hawaiians and destroyed many of the native plant and animal species. They used a great deal of the land for agriculture. The ultimate affect of imperialism on Hawaii was its incorporation into the United States as the 50th state in 1959.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Senate approved the treaty of purchase on April 9; President Andrew Johnson signed the treaty on May 28, and Alaska was formally transferred to the United States on October 18, 1867. This purchase ended Russia’s presence in North America and ensured U.S. access to the Pacific northern rim.

Detailed explanation-4: -United States acquisition of Hawaii enabled the American Navy to access Hawaii’s naval base, Pearl Harbor. Acquisition of Alaska enabled the United States to expand, find valuable resources and become more of a world power.

Detailed explanation-5: -Secretary of State, William H. Seward, bought Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, but critics called his his purchase “Seward’s Folly", because they thought he was crazy. This was imperialistic at the time because America wanted to control more land, and Alaska was an easy grab.