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Total Categories: 7
The Alaska Purchase treaty was signed in 1867, marking the official transfer of sovereignty.
Answer: False
The treaty was signed in 1867, but the official transfer of sovereignty occurred on October 18, 1867.
The United States acquired Alaska from the British Empire for $7.2 million.
Answer: False
The United States acquired Alaska from the Russian Empire, not the British Empire, for $7.2 million.
The U.S. Senate ratified the Alaska Purchase treaty with a unanimous vote.
Answer: False
The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty with a vote of 37 to 2, not unanimously.
Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich was the Russian diplomat who signed the treaty with William H. Seward.
Answer: False
Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich was a proponent of the sale, but the treaty was signed by Russian diplomat Eduard de Stoeckl.
The official text of the Alaska Purchase treaty was written exclusively in Russian.
Answer: False
The official text of the treaty was written in both French and English, alongside the Russian ratification document.
Alaska was purchased for approximately $4.74 per square kilometer.
Answer: True
The purchase price of $7.2 million for approximately 1.5 million square kilometers equates to roughly $4.74 per square kilometer.
The total land area acquired by the United States in the Alaska Purchase was less than 100,000 square miles.
Answer: False
The total land area acquired was approximately 586,412 square miles, significantly more than 100,000 square miles.
What was the total sum paid by the United States to acquire Alaska from the Russian Empire?
Answer: 7.2 million
The United States paid $7.2 million to the Russian Empire for the acquisition of Alaska.
Who was the U.S. Secretary of State responsible for negotiating the Alaska Purchase?
Answer: William H. Seward
William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, was the principal negotiator and proponent of the Alaska Purchase.
On what date did American sovereignty over Alaska legally become effective following the purchase?
Answer: October 18, 1867
American sovereignty over Alaska legally became effective on October 18, 1867, the date of the formal transfer ceremony.
What was the vote count in the U.S. Senate that ratified the treaty for the Alaska Purchase?
Answer: 37 to 2
The United States Senate ratified the treaty for the Alaska Purchase with a vote of 37 in favor and 2 against.
What was the approximate cost of Alaska per square mile at the time of the purchase?
Answer: 12.29
The purchase price of $7.2 million for 586,412 square miles equates to approximately $12.29 per square mile.
What was the significance of Castle Hill in Sitka in relation to the Alaska Purchase?
Answer: It was the location where the formal transfer ceremony took place.
Castle Hill in Sitka was the site of the formal ceremony where Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States on October 18, 1867.
The treaty for the Alaska Purchase was signed on which date?
Answer: March 30, 1867
The treaty formalizing the Alaska Purchase was signed on March 30, 1867.
William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, was the main proponent of the Alaska Purchase.
Answer: True
William H. Seward was indeed the primary proponent and negotiator for the United States in the Alaska Purchase.
Russia's primary motivation for selling Alaska was to establish a stronger military presence against potential U.S. expansion.
Answer: False
Russia's primary motivation was to prevent the territory's potential conquest by the United Kingdom, its rival, rather than to establish a military presence against the U.S.
Senator Charles Sumner believed Alaska's value lay primarily in its strategic military importance against potential European rivals.
Answer: False
Senator Charles Sumner believed Alaska's value was in its natural resources and potential for expanding trade with Asia, not primarily its military importance against European rivals.
Russia specifically sold Alaska to the United States to strengthen its alliance against France.
Answer: False
Russia sold Alaska to the United States primarily to prevent its potential conquest by the United Kingdom, its rival, not to strengthen an alliance against France.
Why did Russia primarily decide to sell Alaska to the United States?
Answer: To prevent its conquest by the United Kingdom.
Russia's primary motivation for selling Alaska was to prevent its potential conquest by the United Kingdom, its rival, especially after the Crimean War.
What was the perceived value of Alaska by proponents like William H. Seward?
Answer: A crucial base for expanding American trade with Asia.
Proponents like William H. Seward perceived Alaska as a crucial base for expanding American trade with Asia and globally, in addition to its potential natural resources.
Which of the following was NOT a reason cited for Russia's decision to sell Alaska?
Answer: A desire to establish a new capital city in Alaska.
A desire to establish a new capital city in Alaska was not cited as a reason for Russia's decision to sell the territory; the primary reasons involved defense, financial needs, and resource depletion.
What was the main reason Russia wanted to sell Alaska specifically to the United States?
Answer: To prevent its rival, Great Britain, from potentially gaining control.
Russia's primary strategic objective in selling Alaska to the United States was to prevent its rival, Great Britain, from potentially acquiring the territory.
The nickname "Seward's Folly" was given to the Alaska Purchase because it was universally praised as a brilliant acquisition from the start.
Answer: False
The nickname "Seward's Folly" was applied by critics who viewed the purchase negatively, not by those who universally praised it.
The criticism of "Seward's Folly" was primarily based on concerns about the territory's harsh climate and lack of resources.
Answer: True
The criticism labeled "Seward's Folly" was predominantly rooted in concerns regarding the territory's severe climate and perceived scarcity of resources.
Which of the following was a common nickname used by opponents of the Alaska Purchase?
Answer: Seward's Icebox
Common derogatory nicknames used by opponents of the Alaska Purchase included "Seward's Folly," "Seward's Icebox," and "Walrussia."
The phrase "Seward's Folly: Who's Laughing Now?" suggests what about the long-term perception of the Alaska Purchase?
Answer: The initial criticism was proven wrong as the territory's value was later recognized.
This phrase implies that the initial criticism of the purchase as "Seward's Folly" was ultimately unfounded, as the territory's value became apparent over time.
Before the purchase, Alaska had a significant Russian population, with thousands of settlers establishing large towns.
Answer: False
Prior to the purchase, the Russian presence was limited, with only approximately 700 individuals enforcing sovereignty and few settlers establishing towns.
New Archangel, later known as Sitka, was established as a center for the Russian fur trade.
Answer: True
New Archangel (Sitka) was indeed established as a significant center for the Russian fur trade, particularly for sea otter pelts.
The *promyshlenniki* were Russian government officials responsible for administering Alaska.
Answer: False
The *promyshlenniki* were Russian merchants and fur trappers, not government officials responsible for administration.
After the purchase, most Russian settlers remained in Alaska and integrated into American society.
Answer: False
Following the purchase, nearly all Russian settlers departed Alaska, returning to Russia at the expense of the Russian-American Company.
The Russian name for the Alaska Peninsula, *Alyaska*, is derived from an English word meaning "great land."
Answer: False
The Russian name *Alyaska* is derived from an Aleut word, *alashka* or *alaesksu*, meaning "great land" or "mainland."
What was the primary role of the Russian-American Company in Alaska before the purchase?
Answer: Hunting for fur, particularly sea otters.
The primary role of the Russian-American Company in Alaska before the purchase was the fur trade, with a particular focus on hunting sea otters.
The *promyshlenniki* were key figures in Russian America, primarily known as:
Answer: Merchants and fur trappers.
The *promyshlenniki* were Russian merchants and fur trappers who were instrumental in the early Russian presence and economic activities in North America.
What was the approximate number of Russians enforcing sovereignty in Alaska prior to the purchase?
Answer: Approximately 700
Prior to the purchase, approximately 700 Russians were enforcing Russian sovereignty across the vast territory of Alaska.
What was the Russian name for the Alaska Peninsula, derived from an Aleut word?
Answer: Alyaska
The Russian name for the Alaska Peninsula was *Alyaska*, derived from an Aleut word signifying "great land."
The seal fishery was considered a minor factor in the U.S. decision to purchase Alaska.
Answer: False
The seal fishery was considered a significant economic factor, expected to generate considerable revenue through leases.
Economists universally agree that the Alaska Purchase resulted in a significant positive financial return for the U.S. federal government.
Answer: False
Economists hold differing views; some argue the U.S. federal government did not achieve a positive financial return, while others contend that the metrics used are flawed.
The Russian-American Company was primarily involved in mining gold and minerals in Alaska before the purchase.
Answer: False
The Russian-American Company's primary involvement in Alaska before the purchase was the fur trade, particularly sea otters, not mining.
The California Gold Rush had no impact on Russia's decision to sell Alaska.
Answer: False
The California Gold Rush demonstrated the potential for gold discovery in North America, contributing to Russia's concern that Americans might overwhelm their presence in Alaska, thus influencing the decision to sell.
The U.S. government administered the seal fisheries in Alaska by allowing unrestricted hunting by any U.S. citizen.
Answer: False
The U.S. government administered the seal fisheries through a lease system, imposing regulations and collecting fees on harvested skins.
The primary economic activity that made Alaska valuable to Russia in the early 19th century was timber harvesting.
Answer: False
The primary economic activity that made Alaska valuable to Russia in the early 19th century was the fur trade, particularly the hunting of sea otters.
The Winans brothers were criticized for inflating contract costs related to Russian railway systems, impacting the Alaska Purchase funds.
Answer: True
The Winans brothers, railway contractors, were reportedly involved in inflating contract costs, with a significant portion of the purchase funds allegedly going to them.
Which of the following was a significant economic consideration for the U.S. in purchasing Alaska?
Answer: The valuable seal fishery expected to yield revenue.
The valuable seal fishery was a significant economic consideration for the U.S., anticipated to generate substantial revenue through leases.
How did economists like David R. Barker evaluate the financial return of the Alaska Purchase for the U.S. federal government?
Answer: As not yielding a positive financial return.
Economist David R. Barker argued that the U.S. federal government did not achieve a positive financial return on the Alaska Purchase, as federal costs exceeded revenues and royalties.
How did the California Gold Rush influence Russia's decision to sell Alaska?
Answer: It demonstrated the value of resource-rich territories, encouraging Russia to sell Alaska before it was taken.
The California Gold Rush highlighted the potential for valuable mineral discoveries in North America, increasing Russia's concern that the U.S. might seize Alaska if gold were found there, thus encouraging its sale.
What was the primary economic activity that made Alaska valuable to Russia in the early 19th century?
Answer: Fur trade, especially sea otters
The primary economic activity that rendered Alaska valuable to Russia in the early 19th century was the fur trade, particularly the hunting of sea otters for their pelts.
What was the role of the Winans brothers in the financial transaction of the Alaska Purchase?
Answer: They reportedly received funds due to inflated railway contract costs.
The Winans brothers, railway contractors, reportedly received funds related to inflated contract costs for Russian railway systems, impacting the financial transaction of the Alaska Purchase.
The Bering Sea Controversy involved disputes over fishing rights between the U.S. and Russia before the Alaska Purchase.
Answer: False
The Bering Sea Controversy arose after the Alaska Purchase, concerning U.S. claims over seal resources, and was resolved by an arbitration tribunal in 1893.
Tsar Alexander I's 1821 edict limited Russian territorial claims in North America to lands south of the 54th parallel.
Answer: False
Tsar Alexander I's 1821 edict asserted Russian claims north of the 51st parallel and restricted foreign ships within 100 Italian miles of the coast.
The *Ukase of 1821* issued by Tsar Alexander I was welcomed by the United States as it clarified trade boundaries.
Answer: False
The *Ukase of 1821* was protested by the United States, as it asserted broad territorial claims and restricted foreign shipping.
Tsar Alexander I's 1821 edict concerning Russian claims in North America was protested by which nation?
Answer: The United States
The United States protested Tsar Alexander I's 1821 edict, which asserted broad Russian territorial claims and restricted foreign shipping along the Pacific coast.
What was the outcome of the arbitration tribunal that resolved the Bering Sea Controversy?
Answer: The tribunal declared the Bering Sea waters international and required regulations.
The arbitration tribunal determined that the Bering Sea waters were international and mandated regulations for seal preservation, rejecting exclusive U.S. control.
What was the initial administrative organization of Alaska after the purchase?
Answer: The Department of Alaska
Following the purchase, Alaska was initially organized as the Department of Alaska.
The Russo-American Treaty of 1824 was significant because it:
Answer: Limited Russian territorial claims to north of the 54th parallel and opened ports to U.S. ships.
The Russo-American Treaty of 1824 limited Russian territorial claims to north of the 54th parallel, 40 minutes north latitude, and opened its ports to U.S. vessels.
Alaska Day is celebrated on March 30th to commemorate the signing of the purchase treaty.
Answer: False
Alaska Day is celebrated on October 18th, commemorating the formal transfer of sovereignty, not the signing of the treaty.
The Klondike Gold Rush occurred before the Alaska Purchase and influenced its terms.
Answer: False
The Klondike Gold Rush occurred after the Alaska Purchase; its discovery of gold later contributed to the recognition of Alaska's value.
What does Alaska Day, celebrated on October 18th, commemorate?
Answer: The formal transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States.
Alaska Day, observed on October 18th, commemorates the formal transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States in 1867.
How many days behind the Gregorian calendar was the Julian calendar used in Alaska in the 19th century?
Answer: 12 days
In the 19th century, the Julian calendar employed in Alaska was 12 days behind the Gregorian calendar.
The Treaty of Paris (1898) is mentioned in the source as significant in the context of:
Answer: U.S. territorial expansion following the Spanish-American War.
The Treaty of Paris (1898) is cited as significant in the context of broader United States territorial expansion, specifically following the Spanish-American War.