Assume you are a member of Congress in 1867 when Seward's Folly was a major issue. Give your arguments for or against the Seward proposal of Alaska's purchase. Be as thorough as you can in justifying your support of or opposition to this purchase.

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History

Aleena Dudley

3 November, 13:35

Assume you are a member of Congress in 1867 when Seward's Folly was a major issue. Give your arguments for or against the Seward proposal of Alaska's purchase. Be as thorough as you can in justifying your support of or opposition to this purchase.

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Clark Bullock · Answer 1

Basically:

Some thought it foolhardy to spend money on such a remote area.

The region seemed to have little value (at the time) and was remote and hard to defend.

Secretary of State Seward, who had long favored expansion, argued that the nation's strategic interests favored the treaty.

He was committed to the spread of American influence throughout the Pacific as a means of enhancing the nation’s trade and military standing.