Secretary of State William Seward began negotiations with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Eduard de Stoeckl, in March 1867.
The handover was soon confirmed for a relatively modest $ 7.2 million (worth just over $ 100 million today).
This must have seemed like a good outcome, because Russia generally failed to develop Alaska, but still made a lot of sales. However, the United States would reach a far better deal if we looked at the matter from a long-term perspective.
Because Alaska was so isolated and sparsely populated, shopping was met with indignation among certain circles in America, and some newspapers called it "Seward's Folly."
However, the majority praised the agreement, understanding that it would help diminish British power in the region and American strategic interests in the Pacific.
