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William H. Seward purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million dollars, approximately 2 cents per acre. (This would be similar to just under $100 million by current standards.) He was the Secretary of State under U.S. president Andrew Johnson at the time.

When the land was first purchased, Americans generally ridiculed Seward for what they perceived to be a complete waste of money. Along with "Seward's Icebox", the purchase of the new territory was also called "Seward's Folly" and "Johnson's Polar Bear Garden". Alaska was thought to be essentially a barren wasteland. However, Alaska proved to be rich in Natural Resources such as forests and fisheries, as well as oil reserves, and the protestations and ridicule eventually died out.

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Q: Why was Alaska referred as Seward's Ice Box?
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How and when did the U.S. acquire Alaska and what is its nickname today?

In 1867 Secratory of state, William, H Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million. People thought he was crazy and called the land Sewards folly or sewards ice box, until gold was discovered..


How did US get Hawaii and Alaska?

Alaska became a part of the US when Russia badly needed some money and gladly took up a guy named Seward on his offer of buying Alaska for a relatively cheap price. At that time, American citizens called Alaska "Seward's Folly" becauose they thought buying Alaska was a waste of money. They called it just an "ice box", after all. However, then gold was discovered in Alaska. The same people who called Seward a fool now went back to calling him a genius. What sarcasm...


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Related questions

How and when did the U.S. acquire Alaska and what is its nickname today?

In 1867 Secratory of state, William, H Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million. People thought he was crazy and called the land Sewards folly or sewards ice box, until gold was discovered..


What is the synonym for Alaska?

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It was called Sewards Folly because it was thought there were very few resources there.


Which state of the US is referred to as a large lump of ice and was bought from Russia for two cents an acre?

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Which part of the US was once known as Seward's Ice Box?

Alaska, before the U.S. purchased it


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