Who owned Alaska before America?
Russia
What was the reason Russia wouldn't sell Alaska to Great Britain?
They were enemies.
Where is Alaska located next to?
Canada
Why did Russia want to sell Alaska?
(multiple options)
-Waste of resources
-Hard to defend
-shifted focus
How much was Alaska purchased for?
7.2 million
Who was the main proponent of the annexation of Alaska in the United States?
William Henry Seward
What year did the purchase take place?
1867
Where did the negotiations occur?
Washington D.C
Why did America buy Alaska?
(could be multiple answers)
-Low price
-trade with Asia
-the fur and fish that could be caught there due to the new access to Pacific waters
-American expansionism
-Rid of monarchy
How was Alaska seen by most?
Barren and cold
Who was the U.S president during the annexation of Alaska?
Andrew Johnson
What did Congress originally feel about the idea of annexing Alaska?
They were opposed
Where did Russia shift its focus to?
Asia
Why was Alaska so cheap?
The land was seen as extremely bare and Russia was fearful of losing it
How much was Alaska per acre?
2 cents
Who was the Russian minister to the U.S.?
Eduard de Stoeckl
What led to more people moving to Alaska after the purchase?
Where was the city in Alaska that the gold rush occurred?
Nome, Alaska
How did Seward convince Congress to approve the annexation?
(could be multiple answers)
American expansionism
-elimination of monarchial rule in North America
-Access to North Pacific waters
Who was Russia's emperor?
Aleksandr II
What was the purchase dubbed?
(could be multiple answers)
“Sewards's folly” or “Andrew Jackson’s polar bear garden”
How many square miles was Alaska when purchased?
586,412 square miles