Russia's Alaska deal!!!!

In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million, driven by financial strain and strategic focus on Asia. Initially mocked as 'Seward's Folly,' the purchase transformed after the Klondike Gold Rush revealed Alaska's vast resources. This sale influenced global power dynamics, alleviating Russia's financial burdens while establishing Alaska as a key U.S. asset. The debate over whether this was a clever move or a costly mistake continues among historians.