Seward's+Folly

About William H. Seward:

 * He was a Republican, who served for both Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson as Secertary of State.
 * Secertary of State = He/She is the main advisor on foriegn policy. They are also in charge of foriegn affairs, and would advise on the appointment of ambassadors.
 * As Secertary of State he achieved the most out of all the past secertaries since John Quincy Adams.
 * He believed in an expansionist policy. Before Seward's Folly, he achieved the annexation of Midway Island in the Pacific and the rights to build a canal in Nicaragua.
 * New Imperialism
 * [[image:william-h-seward.jpg width="522" height="774"]]

The Purchase of Alaska:

 * The territory of Alaska had been greatly disputed between Russia and Great Britian.
 * Russia had a small community that hunted seals, but the land soon became an economic burden. It was also in subject to threat of a British takeover.
 * Congress agreed in 1867 to purchase Alaska for 7.2 million dollars.
 * Seward was greatly criticized for purchasing Alaska, many people referred to it as "Seward's Icebox" or "Seward's Folly."
 * Folly = is the act, practice, or idea of folishness or absurdity.
 * [[image:ak_intro.jpg width="557" height="440"]]

Results:

 * Alaska became a **state** on January 3rd, 1959.
 * Today Alaska is known for its beauty and its bountiful **resources** (such as oil and gold).
 * [[image:cookinlt.jpg width="376" height="291"]]

External Links
[|Information on William H. Seward] [|Information on Seward's Folly] [|Information on the Sale of Alaska]