Purchase of Alaska

Purchase of Alaska

The Purchase of Alaska happened on March 28, 1867. Russia offered to sell Alaska in 1859. Alaska was brought to the U.S. in 1867. Senator of State William Seward bought Alaska for $7.2 million dollars. Seward swooped up Russia's offer and ran with it. When he bought Alaska, many people called it "Sewards Folly." The United States soon realized that they bought a huge chuck of ice. However, not to long after that, Alaska was then governed by a military naval. They wanted to impose the mining laws, so the U.S. constituted a civil government. Seward vindicated when a major gold rush came to the Yukon's.  Alaska was then known to be the gateway of gold Klondikes. Alaska didn't become a state until January 3, 1959.
In this cartoon, Seward and the president push a treaty Russia and America.  However, in the background, Russia walks away with a bag full of cash.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/alaska-purchase
https://odysseythroughhistory.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/1-alaska-purchase-cartoon-granger.jpg (political cartoon)