How did the US acquire Alaska?

The United States acquired Alaska from the Russian Empire on October 18, 1867, through a treaty negotiated by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward. Known as the Alaska Purchase or Seward's Folly, the deal involved the transfer of 7,200 square miles (19,000 km2) of land from Russia to the United States for a total of $7.2 million ($200 million in 2023). The purchase price amounted to about two cents per acre ($4.74/km2).

Motivations for the purchase included a desire for more territory in North America, access to natural resources such as fur, gold, and timber, and a strategic interest in the region due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The acquisition was controversial at the time, with many Americans seeing it as a waste of money and an expansionist land grab. However, the purchase was ultimately seen as a wise investment, as the region has since proven to be rich in natural resources and strategic importance.