The Alaska Purchase

When was Alaska formally transferred from Russia to the United States?

• March 30, 1867

• October 18, 1867

• July 4, 1776

• December 7, 1941

How much did the United States pay for Alaska?

• $720,000

• $7.2 billion

• $72 million

• $7.2 million

What was a major reason Russia sold Alaska?

• To strengthen its military

• To expand its territory

• To invest in technology

• Financial difficulties

Why was Alaska difficult for Russia to defend?

• It was too vast and remote

• Lack of military technology

• No interest in the territory

• Allies with the United States

Who was the U.S. Secretary of State that agreed on the treaty transferring Alaska?

• William Seward

• John Kerry

• Alexander Hamilton

• Henry Kissinger

What nickname was given to the purchase of Alaska?

• The Great Purchase

• Johnson's mistake

• Seward's folly

• The Northern Acquisition

When did Alaska's gold rush begin, making Americans realize its economic potential?

• 1900

• 1867

• 1942

• 1896

What natural resources besides gold contributed to Alaska's importance?

• Oil, silver, lead, and copper

• Diamonds, uranium, zinc, and nickel

• Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and opals

• Coal, bauxite, titanium, and quartz

What has been a major challenge for Alaska's oil sector since 2014?

• Falling oil prices

• Lack of skilled labor

• Technological setbacks

• International sanctions

What is the purpose of the permanent investment fund created in Alaska in 1976?

• To pay the state's bills

• To fund educational programs

• To support wildlife conservation

• To invest in renewable energy