Alaska Purchase
1867 U.S. purchase of Russian America for $7.2 million.
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The Alaska Purchase was the 1867 acquisition of Russian America by the United States, formalized through a bilateral treaty signed on March 30 and ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 9. The transfer added 586,412 square miles to U.S. territory at a cost of $7.2 million (equivalent to $132 million in 2024), and American sovereignty became legally effective on October 18, 1867. The purchase ended Russia's colonial presence in North America and set the stage for Alaska's eventual statehood in 1959.
- Date of Treaty Signing
- March 30, 1867
- Date of Senate Ratification
- April 9, 1867
- Date of Sovereignty Transfer
- October 18, 1867
- Purchase Price
- $7.2 million (equivalent to $132 million in 2024)
- Area Acquired
- 586,412 sq mi (1,518,800 km²)
- Cost per Acre
- $0.02 per acre ($0.37 per acre in 2024)
- Key Negotiators
- William H. Seward (U.S. Secretary of State) and Eduard de Stoeckl (Russian diplomat)
Lore & Background
The Russian Empire had established a colonial presence in parts of North America during the first half of the 19th century, but few Russians ever settled in Alaska. After Russia's catastrophic defeat in the Crimean War, Tsar Alexander II began exploring the sale of Alaska, which would be difficult to defend from the United Kingdom in any future war. William H. Seward, the U.S. secretary of state, entered into negotiations with Russian diplomat Eduard de Stoeckl after the American Civil War, and they agreed to a treaty on March 30, 1867. The purchase price was set at $7.2 million, or about 2 cents per acre.
Reader's Guide
The Alaska Purchase expanded U.S. territory by over half a million square miles at a low per-acre cost. Reactions among Americans were mostly positive, as many believed Alaska would serve as a base to expand American trade in Asia. Some opponents labeled the purchase 'Seward's Folly' or 'Seward's Icebox,' contending the land was useless. Nearly all Russian settlers left after the purchase, and Alaska remained sparsely populated until the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1896. Originally organized as the Department of Alaska, it was renamed the District of Alaska in 1884, the Territory of Alaska in 1912, and became the state of Alaska in 1959. Much of the money Russia earned was reportedly paid to two Americans, Thomas and William Winans, who were under contract to build and maintain Russia's railway system.
Did You Know?
- The purchase price was $7.2 million, equivalent to $132 million in 2024.
- The treaty was signed at 04:00 on March 30, 1867, after an all-night session.
- Opponents called the purchase 'Seward's Folly' or 'Seward's Icebox.'
- Much of the money Russia received was reportedly paid to two Americans, Thomas and William Winans, for railway contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Alaska Purchase?
The Alaska Purchase refers to the 1867 bilateral treaty in which the United States acquired the territory of Russian America from the Russian Empire. The deal added roughly 586,412 square miles of land to the U.S. and permanently ended Russia's colonial foothold in North America.
When exactly did the Alaska Purchase take effect?
The treaty was signed on March 30, 1867, and the U.S. Senate ratified it on April 9 of that year. American sovereignty over the territory officially became legally effective on October 18, 1867.
How much did the United States pay for Alaska?
The purchase price was $7.2 million, which works out to roughly two cents per acre at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that sum is equivalent to about $132 million in 2024 dollars.
Why is the Alaska Purchase significant in the history of Russian colonization of North America?
It marked the definitive end of Russia's colonial administration in the Americas, closing a chapter that had begun with early 18th-century fur-trading outposts. The transfer also set the long-term trajectory for Alaska's development, culminating in its admission as the 49th state in 1959.
Who negotiated the Alaska Purchase on behalf of Russia?
The treaty was a bilateral agreement between the Russian Empire and the United States, finalized in 1867. The context provided does not name individual negotiators, so the transaction is best understood as a state-to-state diplomatic act rather than the work of a single figure.
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