American Expansion: Seward's Purchase of Alaska (1867)
by Anonymous
Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Critics called it 'Seward's Folly' and 'Seward's Icebox.' The territory later yielded gold, oil, and strategic military value worth trillions.
Buy Alaska
1867
year
$7.2 million (2 cents per acre)
price
Mocked as 'Seward's Folly'
public opinion
Chosen — gold rush 1896, oil 1968, strategic value immense
outcome
Decline the Offer
1867
year
N/A
price
Popular — seemed like a waste
public opinion
Not chosen — Seward pushed it through
outcome
Like this comparison? Make it your own.
Sign up to use as templateMore in History
Treaty of Versailles: Punish or Reconcile Germany (1919)
Harsh Punishment (French Position) vs Moderate Peace (14 Points) vs Break Up Germany
Britain: Appeasement vs Confrontation with Hitler (1938)
Appeasement (Munich Agreement) vs Military Confrontation
Isaac Newton vs Leibniz: Calculus Notation (1680s)
Leibniz Notation (dx/dy) vs Newton Notation (Dots)
Charlemagne's Coronation: Emperor or King (800 CE)
Accept Imperial Crown vs Remain King of the Franks
Sydney Opera House: Utzon's Design (1957)
Utzon's Sail Design vs Conventional Concert Hall
Germany: Unification Under Prussia or Austria (1866)
Kleindeutschland (Prussian-led) vs Grossdeutschland (Including Austria)