Critics called the transaction "Seward's Folly" after William Seward, the US secretary of state.
Alaska was officially made the 49th state in January 1959.
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Russia began colonizing Alaska and other parts of North America in the late 1700s, establishing Russian America and making money off the fur trade.
Persons:
Critics, William Seward, —
Organizations:
Service, Business
Locations:
Alaska, Russia, North America, Asia, Russian America