Category: Miscellaneous

29 Mar 2024 22:51

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On this day in 1867, the USA purchased Alaska

On this day in 1867 (29th March, 1867), the United States of America Secretary of State, William H. Seward, negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for only US$7.2 million in a historic agreement known as the Alaska Purchase or Seward's Folly.

The purchase added a vast territory of nearly 586,000 square miles to the United States, marking a significant expansion of its territorial holdings. Initially met with skepticism and criticism, Alaska later proved to be a valuable acquisition due to its rich natural resources, including gold, oil, and fisheries. The purchase played a pivotal role in shaping American history and geopolitics, ultimately contributing to the United States' presence and influence in the Pacific region.

Can we imagine such a valuable strategic land was sold by Czar's Russia at such a pittance?

#777834

30 Mar 2024 00:20

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The United States should thank its stars that it was Russia that they purchased Alaska from. Had it been from China (not realistically possible though, since China is located far away from Alaska), by this time they would have started claiming it back. Wonder what kind of a country this China is! Wherever it sees a land with some connection to its past, it starts claiming it. Their claim for Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh doesn't make sense. Just because these places are somewhat culturally linked with Tibet doesn't mean they belong to China. Such claims are all the more laughable, because in the first place Tibet itself should not have been part of China. That they had control over the region in some distant past doesn't mean it belongs to them.

Coming back to Alaska, yes, do agree it was a grievous mistake on the part of the Russians. Considering the present geopolitical situation, had Alaska been theirs, it would have been of great strategic value. Luckily for the Americans, the Canadians are on their side. Things would have been otherwise similar to what it was for East and West Pakistan before 1971.

Patience and perseverance pays

#777836

30 Mar 2024 07:53

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When we read history then we come to know a number of interesting things happened in past and this one belongs to the same category.
The Czar of Russia had not considered the importance of Alaska at that time and just to get some money took such a decision. If a leader or rular of a country does not have a strategic foresight about its boundaries and other occupied lands then it leads to such grave mistakes.
On the other hand the buyer in this case had understood the great bargain that they were getting with that small money offered in exchange for such a large area.
Selling a piece of land is done by a person or an entity only in extreme conditions when there is no other option. Selling it for buying luxuries or other comforts is definitely a myopic step.

Knowledge is power.

#777840

30 Mar 2024 12:25

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It is a strange case as no king or owner of a country like Russia would choose to do so. It comes naturally in our minds that what was the compulsion or temptation under which Czar of Russia had done such an unbelievable transaction.
Selling a part of one's land or property is a step that is taken in some urgent situation of financial crisis. Before that people dispose off their jewellery.
Alaska is a big area and there are natural resources that would be explored more and more as the technology advances and for US it is a goldmine of resources. There is no doubt that US benefited much by this acquisition.

Thoughts exchanged is knowledge gained.

#777843

30 Mar 2024 12:55

Joined:	02/06/2009
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The Alaska Purchase or Seward's Folly is a boon to the USA. The then rulers of Russia did not have foresight I think. They might not have known about its rich natural resources, including gold, oil, and fisheries. That is what made them sell off Alaska. The money they got in return is also not very much. I agree with Dhruv. The land sold by our forefathers can't be claimed back by us and no court will accept it. India lost a substantial amount of land to China post-independence and it has not got anything in return. This shows that China can do anything and everything. We lost land and nothing in return.
The US Secretary of State, William H. Seward did an excellent job and acquired that land which gave them a different dimension. If it had not sold at that time, Russia might have been in a different position as of now I think. Anyhow the US is lucky in acquiring the same.

drrao
always confident

#777904

31 Mar 2024 21:00

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I have read the comments of the other members. All of them have pointed out the mistake of the Czar-ruled Russia in selling mineral-rich and strategically important Alaska to the USA.

But nobody has asked why this important treaty signed by William H. Seward, the then US Secretary of State, is known as "Seward's Folly"?

The answer is equally astonishing.

William H. Seward purchased Alaska from Russia at an almost throwaway price. But, even then, he was severely criticized in his own country. At that time, the perception in the US was that the land (Alaska) was located so far north that it was considered virtually unusable and uninhabitable. Because of these factors, Alaska was not seen as a worthwhile purchase for the United States and was thus considered a foolish endeavour on the part of Seward. So, the treaty was/is known as "Seward's Folly".

The subject of International Relations is full of many such interesting episodes.

(a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
(b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

On this day in 1867, the USA purchased Alaska

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