Question

Which of the following best explains how the United States acquired Alaska?
a. The United States claimed Alaska after winning a war with Russia.
b. The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
c. The United States purchased Alaska from Canada for two cents an acre.
d. The United States accepted Alaska’s petition to become a US territory.

Answer 1

the United state purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. answers B

Answer 2

The correct answer is B. The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867.

Russia was in a complicated financial situation, and feared the loss of the territories of Alaska without any compensation in some future conflict, probably with its British rivals. Therefore, Emperor Alexander II decided to sell the territory to the United States, sending his minister Eduard de Stoeckl began negotiations with the American Secretary of State William Seward in early March 1867. Negotiations concluded at four o'clock in the morning on March 30, with a final price of $ 7,200,000. The American public was positive about the purchase in general, although some columnists and publishers were against the purchase of land.