The Purchase of Alaska - Young World Club 
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The Purchase of Alaska

  • POSTED ON: 30 Mar, 2018
  • TOTAL VIEWS: 1050 Views
  • POSTED BY: Chari Vijayaraghavan
  • ARTICLE POINTS: 100 Points

A significant change to the political map happened with the ‘Alaska Purchase’ – the United States’ acquisition of Alaska from the Russian Empire on March 30, 1867.

Russia wanted to sell its Alaskan territory, fearing that it might be seized if war broke out with the United Kingdom. Russia’s primary activities in the territory had been fur trade and missionary work among the Native Alaskans.

The Alaska Purchase was formalised by a treaty ratified by the United States Senate and signed by President Andrew Johnson. Scroll on…

The land added 586,412 square miles (1,518,800 sq. km) of new territory to the United States.The US$7.2 million check used to pay for Alaska (roughly $105 million in 2016).The signing of the Alaska Treaty of Cessation on March 30, 1867.The first page of Tsar Alexander II's ratification of the treaty. This page just contains the Tsar's full style.Today, Alaska is known for its nature, wildlife and natural resources.


Originally organised as the Department of Alaska, the area was renamed the District of Alaska and the Alaska Territory before becoming the modern state of Alaska in 1959.

Source: Wikipedia | Wikimedia Commons