Despite opposition and ridicule,Secretary of State Seward was able to persuade Congress to purchase Alaska partly because

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Secretary of State Seward was able to persuade Congress to purchase Alaska because of the close relationship between Russia and the Union during the Civil War, and a desire to strengthen those ties. Additionally, Russia offered to sell Alaska to the US partially to prevent the British from seizing it, so there was no fear of Canada doing so. The other options of oil deposits or gold were not known at the time of the purchase, and there was no immediate threat of Japanese expansion in Alaska.

Despite Opposition and Ridicule,Secretary of State Seward Was Able to Persuade