Nailed it!
The answer is Seward’s Folly.
Critics mocked the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia with what nickname?
A
Grant’s Gamble
B
Polk’s Prize
Seward’s Folly
Answer
D
Lincoln’s Last Deal
Why the answer is Seward’s Folly
Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents an acre. Many Americans thought it was a waste of money on a frozen wasteland, and newspapers called it “Seward’s Folly.”
The United States formally took possession on October 18, 1867, now celebrated in Alaska as Alaska Day. Within a few decades, gold strikes, fishing, timber and later oil proved the land’s enormous value.
Alaska became the 49th state in 1959. It is by far the largest state, more than twice the size of Texas.
Facts to bring to dinner
$7.2 million
What the U.S. paid Russia for Alaska.
2¢
Roughly the price per acre.
1959
Alaska became the 49th state.
Stump a friend with this one
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