Topics in Chronicling America - Seward's Folly - US Purchase of Alaska

Jump to: Sample Articles

Important Dates:

• March 30, 1867: America signs a treaty with Russia, purchasing the Russian American territories for $7.2 million.
• October 18, 1867: Alaska is formally transferred from Russian to American control at Sitka, Alaska.
• July 14, 1868: The House of Representatives approves funding for the purchase of Russia by a vote of 113-48.
• Spring 1899 The Nome Gold Rush begins, producing enough gold to vindicate Seward’s push to purchase Alaska.

Suggested Search Strategies:

• [Try the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases using Search Pages in Chronicling America.] Russian America, Seward, Treaty, Russia, Sitka, Walrussia, Gold, Nome, Alaska Appropriation.
• It is important to use a specific date range if looking for articles for a particular event in order to narrow your results.

Sample Articles from Chronicling America:

• "The Russian Treaty," The New York Tribune (New York, NY), April 09, 1867, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "The Russian Treaty," The Charleston Daily News (Charleston, SC), April 12, 1867, Page 2, Image 2, col. 2.
• "Value of Our New Acquisition," White Cloud Kansas Chief (White Cloud, KS), April 18, 1867, Page 2, Image 2, col. 1-2.
• "What We Get By The Treaty," The Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, MO), May 03, 1867, Page 1, Image 1, col. 5.
• "Alaska," The National Republican (Washington, DC), December 24, 1867, Page 2, Image 2, col. 1.
• "This Whole Boundless," The Montana Post (Virginia City, MO), July 24, 1868, Page 6, Image 6, col. 1.
• "Alaska," The National Republican (Washington, DC), July 15, 1868, Page 2, Image 2, col. 1.
• "Golden Stories of Alaska," The Times (Washington, DC), July 15, 1899, Page 1, Image 1, col. 3.
• "A Field of Treasure," Mohave County Miner (Mineral Park, AZ), September 30, 1899, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "The Alaska of the Present Day," The Minneapolis Journal (Minneapolis, MN), September 12, 1903, Page 11, Image 11, col. 1-7.