The Alaska Purchase – debunking a myth

There is a common historical myth among Americans that the Alaska Purchase in 1867 was deeply unpopular -- that Americans didn't see any value in it and ridiculed it as "Seward's Folly" and "Seward's Icebox". But in reality there was widespread support for the purchase. Most of the newspaper reporting at the time was positive or at least neutral, and the treaty easily passed the Senate.

There were three main reasons for American support for the Alaska Purchase:
1. Americans and Russians did in fact know (contrary to the modern myth) that Alaska was rich in natural resources.
2. Many Americans believed that control of Alaska would make it easier to trade with Asia. (Americans had been trading with Asia since colonial times.)
3. Most Americans were in favor of annexing the British colonies north of the U.S. (what later became Canada), and they saw the acquisition of Alaska as furthering that goal.

One point I didn't make in the video but is worth noting:
The Senate passed the Alaska Purchase treaty 37-2. Some modern sources erroneously claim that the purchase "barely passed by one vote". Not true. The Constitution says the Senate ratifies a treaty with two-thirds of those voting, not two-thirds of all members. So the treaty got 95% of the Senate vote, well above the 67% necessary. The Alaska Purchase had bipartisan support during one of the most politically divided periods in American history.

[tarstarkusz]

4:32 My father always called the refrigerator "the icebox" out of pure habit because he had grown up with an icebox.

[mikepowell]

I studied American history for UK ‘A’ levels back in 1967 (and rather surprisingly passed.) I have never heard a clearer exposition of any aspect of it than this - and so pleasantly and professionally delivered. Thank you very much.

[fiddleriddlediddlediddle]

If any country ever wants to sell you a part of its land, for geopolitical reasons, you always say yes if you can afford it. Honestly, the resources there are usually less important than having the land itself.

[mrs.g]

THIS CHANNEL IS A GEM!! I never thought any of this would be facinating to a 38yr old mom but alas here I am; recommended by my younger sister! My 15 year pld daughter was listening along in the car ride. I thought she wasn’t paying attention then she said wait mom can you go back I missed what he just said 😂😂.

[isstevetaken]

This was great, hope you still get around to doing a video about why the Russians wanted to sell Alaska.

[herzogsbuick]

Alaskan here, who enjoys Alaska history. I learned quite a lot in this video -- I always took for granted that $7, 200, 000 equaled the price per acre, multiplied by the (then surveyed) size of Alaska. Fantastic stuff. And -- great shirt!

[danielbabb]

I am researching this topic right now for a presentation tomorrow and yours has been one of the most organized and informative sources I have seen! Your video deserves so many more views!

[BoerChris]

Thanks for a fascinating video. I am British (despite the YouTube handle), and I had never devoted much thought to the Alaska Purchase before. Above all, you show how important it is, when studying history, to look closely at the perceptions of the time rather than view things in retrospect.

[speedexc]

Big laugh at "The United States has never had a friend among the nations of Europe save Russia". How times change. Wish things could have been turned out better between the two continent spanning nation-empires, the world would have been much better for a friendship that never failed.

Also, I was surprised to see you only have 4.5k subscribers - the quality of your presentation made me think you had at least ten times that amount. Great work.

[iakona]

The U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Cassius Clay, never gets the credit that he deserves for his personal relationship with the Czar and for his efforts to persuade the Czar to sell Alaska to the USA.

[JumpydeerbobHD]

What a lucky find your channel is! The videos are extremely well made, and hosted by someone who appears to absolutely love history. Thanks for making these!

[punishedbarca]

The way you present everything so concisely and conversationally is amazing. Thanks for the videos!

[mikeworksatharkins]

I recently found this channel and love all your videos! Mad props for the Strong Bad shirt too!!!

[timlecount]

Just discovered your video and channel. Thank you so much, this was really well-done and captivating. I teach AK history at a high school in Palmer, and was pleased that you touched on so many points that I teach in my class. AND I learned something new about the .2 added on to the 7 million. Thanks again!

[kelly]

Nice to encounter someone who is well spoken and has a quiet passion and deep respect for history. A person who dispenses with sensationalism, talks in measured tones and not in love with the sound of their own voice or amazed with their own incites. Someone whose priority is to teach and clarify above being entertaining. Puts me in mind of one of my countries most revered historical researcher/lecturers, the late great Pierre Berton.

[zacharythomas]

Thanks, I love the Alaska Purchase, it's land value is that of the lower 48. It more than doubled the area the U.S.A occupies.

[normaaliihminen]

As Finnish guy who is interested about knowing history of USA I think I have found my golden channel for consuming it, Thank you!

[kitneyspears]

Completely unrelated to the topic, but hearing the grandfather clock chime at 7:26 gave me so much nostalgia. My abuela used to have a clock like that in her house and would hum along to it whenever it chimed.

[ScabbyBoi]

Fantastic video. As a fan of history educated in the U.S. you always manage to find topics that it seems we know just a ~little bit~ about, but never enough that we were taught all of the nuance and interesting details in school. The fact that you cover seem to cover whatever subjects strike your interest whenever you catch a wave of motivation to make a video makes the material that much better. Please continue to deliver content on interesting points in pre-modern and early modern history, and please continue to deliver them at a pace that feels comfortable and allows you to do your best. THANKYOU :)

[nothingelse]

As someone who was raised in Alaska, graduated college there, then left the state, I am always amazed the ridiculous questions I get about Alaska sometimes. One time someone asked me if I used "American money". Another person asked if I knew anyone with a pet penguin.