On This Day, October 18th: The Transfer of Alaska and 'Seward's Folly'

Introduction: A Moment in Time

On October 18, 1867, a crisp autumn day in Sitka, the capital of Russian America, a ceremony unfolded that would forever alter the map of North America. On a rocky promontory known as Castle Hill, Russian soldiers stood in formation, watching as their nation's double-headed eagle flag was lowered for the last time. In its place, the Stars and Stripes of the United States of America ascended, catching the breeze as cannons from the harbor fired in salute. With this formal transfer, a vast and enigmatic territory—nearly 600,000 square miles of wilderness—officially became part of the United States. The price tag was a mere $7.2 million, or about two cents an acre. Back in Washington D.C., the architect of this deal, Secretary of State William H. Seward, faced a barrage of criticism. His grand acquisition was derided as "Seward's Folly," "Seward's Icebox," and "Andrew Johnson's Polar Bear Garden." Little did the critics know that this seemingly barren landscape of ice and snow would one day prove to be one of the most strategically and economically significant land purchases in American history.

The Build-Up: What Led to This Day?

Russia's American Burden

Russia's presence in North America began in the 18th century with the explorations of Vitus Bering. The Russian-American Company was established to exploit the rich fur trade, particularly the valuable sea otter pelts. However, by the mid-19th century, Russia's American enterprise was facing significant challenges. The sea otter population had been hunted to near extinction, and the colony was becoming an economic liability rather than an asset. Furthermore, the vast distance from St. Petersburg made supplying and defending the territory incredibly difficult and costly. The humiliating defeat in the Crimean War (1853-1856) had left the Russian Empire financially drained and wary of its geopolitical vulnerabilities. Tsar Alexander II and his advisors feared that in a future conflict with their great rival, Great Britain, the indefensible Alaskan territory would be easily seized by the British from neighboring Canada. Selling the territory to the United States, a nation with which Russia had comparatively friendly relations, seemed a logical way to preempt this loss and simultaneously bolster the state treasury.

America's Manifest Destiny

On the American side, the idea of acquiring Alaska found a fervent champion in Secretary of State William H. Seward. An ardent expansionist and a believer in America's "Manifest Destiny," Seward envisioned a future where the United States would extend its dominion across the North American continent and into the Pacific. He saw Alaska not as an icy wasteland, but as a strategic gateway to Asia and a land of immense, untapped potential. Seward believed the territory held valuable resources like fisheries, forests, and minerals. The conclusion of the American Civil War in 1865 allowed the U.S. to once again turn its attention to expansion. When the Russian minister to the United States, Baron Eduard de Stoeckl, was authorized to reopen negotiations in 1866, he found a more-than-willing partner in Seward. After an all-night negotiating session, the treaty was signed at 4 a.m. on March 30, 1867. Despite some opposition, the Senate, swayed by the powerful oratory of Senator Charles Sumner, ratified the treaty on April 9, 1867.

The Event Itself: The Transfer at Sitka

The stage was set for the official transfer on October 18, 1867. The U.S. dispatched 250 soldiers under the command of General Jefferson C. Davis to Sitka, which was then known as New Archangel. The ceremony was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the governor's house on Castle Hill. American and Russian troops paraded on the grounds as officials gathered. The Russian commissioner, Captain Aleksei Pestchouroff, and the American commissioner, General Lovell Rousseau, stood at the base of the flagpole to oversee the proceedings. The ceremony, however, was not without a moment of drama. As the Russian flag was being lowered, it snagged on the flagpole. A Russian soldier had to be sent up to cut the flag loose, and as it drifted down, it fell onto the bayonets of the Russian soldiers below, an incident that reportedly caused the Governor's wife, Princess Maksutov, to faint. Once order was restored, the American flag was raised, accompanied by cannon fire from the USS Ossipee and the Russian batteries. Captain Pestchouroff then formally declared, "General Rousseau, by authority from his Majesty the Emperor of Russia, I transfer to the United States the Territory of Alaska." General Rousseau accepted the transfer, and with a few final words, the ceremony was complete. The vast territory of Alaska now belonged to the United States. It's noteworthy that due to the change from the Julian calendar used by the Russians to the Gregorian calendar used by the U.S., the day before the transfer was Friday, October 6, and the day of the transfer was Friday, October 18.

The Aftermath and Legacy

From 'Folly' to Fortune

In the immediate aftermath of the purchase, public opinion in the United States remained skeptical. The acquisition was widely seen as a waste of money, and for three decades, the U.S. government paid little attention to its new territory, which was administered by the military, navy, or Treasury Department. The narrative of "Seward's Folly" persisted until the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1896. The discovery of vast gold deposits brought a flood of prospectors and settlers to the region, vindicating Seward's belief in Alaska's resource potential. The economic boom that followed demonstrated the immense value of the territory. This was only the beginning. In the 20th century, the discovery of massive oil and natural gas reserves, particularly in Prudhoe Bay, would turn Alaska into an economic powerhouse. Its rich fisheries and timber resources also became vital industries. What was purchased for two cents an acre has since generated hundreds of billions of dollars for the U.S. economy, proving the Alaska Purchase to be one of the most prudent land deals in history.

Strategic Importance and Statehood

Beyond its economic wealth, Alaska's strategic location became profoundly significant in the 20th century. During World War II, its proximity to Asia made it a critical military outpost, particularly during the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Throughout the Cold War, Alaska's position as a buffer between the United States and the Soviet Union made it a vital location for defense and surveillance systems. The long-neglected territory's importance was finally recognized, and on January 3, 1959, Alaska was admitted to the Union as the 49th state. Today, Alaska Day, celebrated annually on October 18th, is a legal holiday in the state, commemorating the formal transfer with parades and reenactments in Sitka. However, it is also a day of reflection on the complex legacy of the event, particularly for Alaska Natives, whose ancestral lands were transferred without their consent.

References

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, October 15). Alaska Purchase. Encyclopedia Britannica.

History.com Editors. (2021, October 14). The U.S. Purchases Alaska. HISTORY.

Library of Congress. (n.d.). The Alaska Purchase. Meeting of Frontiers.

National Archives. (2021, August 25). Check for the Purchase of Alaska (1868).

Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute. (n.d.). Purchase of Alaska, 1867. United States Department of State.

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, October 17). Alaska Purchase. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.