The correct answer is A. The first territory the United States acquired beyond the borders of its 48 contiguous states was Alaska.
Explanation:
In 1867, US Secretary of State William H. Seward carried out the purchase of Alaska from Russia for US $ 7.2 million. The lack of cash from Russia (in a complicated financial situation) and the fear of losing territory in some future conflict with their British rivals, urged Tsar Alexander II to sell the territory to the United States after the failure in the Crimean War. The purchase became effective on October 18, 1867, today remembered as Alaska Day. Although the purchase was harshly criticized at the time of its occurrence, it was finally seen as an advantageous business thanks to the discovery of gold and oil in Yukon. The main settlements were established in Juneau, Nome and Fairbanks.
