What was the purchase price of Alaska?

Prepare for the Alaska National Guard Adjutant General Board Exam with comprehensive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your readiness for the test!

The purchase price of Alaska was indeed $7.2 million. This transaction took place in 1867 when the United States bought Alaska from Russia. The deal, often referred to as "Seward's Folly" after Secretary of State William H. Seward who orchestrated the acquisition, was finalized on October 18, 1867. The price equates to roughly two cents per acre, which many at the time viewed as a large sum for what was thought to be a barren wasteland. However, this purchase proved to be highly beneficial in the long term due to Alaska's vast natural resources, including gold, oil, and other minerals. The significance of the purchase lay not only in its economic implications but also in the expansion of U.S. territory.

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