Introduction

Every October 18 marks the commemoration of the Alaska Purchase, a major historical event brought to fruition in 1867. The Alaska Purchase or “Seward’s Folly,” a monumental arrangement in global history, officially transferred the huge, icy expanse of Alaska from Russia to the United States. This distinct day serves as a mirror to a time when world powers underwent massive territorial negotiations, leading to the development of America’s largest state.

The Alaska Purchase

In the mid-19th century, Russia, having established Alaska as a fur-trade region, found the area increasingly burdensome. Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War (1853-1856) indicated the fragile state of their economy and left them needing to offload the outwardly fruitless Alaskan territory.

Simultaneously in Washington, D.C., U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward envisioned increasing U.S. territory. Negotiations with the Russian minister Eduard de Stoeckl initiated; the conclusion came with ‘The Treaty of Cession’, signed on March 30, 1867.

Critics mocked the purchase, dubbing it ‘Seward’s Folly’, unaware of the vast natural resources tucked beneath Alaska’s glacial façade. However, on October 18, 1867, the transfer was formalized with a flag-raising ceremony. This altogether handed a significant 586,412 square miles of land to the United States for a cost of $7.2 million.

Interesting Facts for Kids

1. Did you know that the United States bought Alaska for just 2 cents an acre? In today’s terms, that’s incredibly cheap for such a big piece of land!

2. Alaska is also known as the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ because, during summer, the sun can shine for up to 24 hours a day – imagine that!

3. Gold was discovered in Alaska in the late 1800s, which led to the infamous Klondike Gold Rush. Loads of people moved there in hopes of finding their fortune.

Educational Activities for Kids

1. Map Making: Draw a map of Alaska and mark the major cities, rivers, and mountain ranges. This will teach about the geography of the state.

2. Cultural Exchange: Learn about the native cultures, such as the Inuit and Tlingit tribes. Kids can make native crafts, learn traditional games, or cook unique Alaskan dishes.

3. Historical Time-line: Create a timeline of the Alaska Purchase, detailing its significant events. This helps children to visualize the course of history and understand the event better.

Conclusion

The Alaska Purchase fundamentally changed the history of North America. Albeit criticized initially, it made a critical impact on the global standing of the United States. Every October 18 enables us to look back at this often surprising episode in history, made possible by a mixture of diplomatic endeavors, economic necessities, and a vision for the future.

References

1. Whittier, N. (2011), ‘Alaska: The Last Frontier.’ Random House Inc. New York: NY
2. Finkelman, P., and Kennon, D. (2008), ‘Congress and the Emergence of Sectionalism.’ The Ohio University Press. Ohio: OH
3. Haley, J. (1972), ‘Alaska: An American Colony.’ University of Washington Press. Seattle: WA

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