Alaska: A case study

Had been controlled by Russia since early 1700’s, never much explored.

Secretary of State William Seward – wants to purchase.

Congress’s answer?

1867, purchased for 7.2 million.

Cost per acre?

“Seward’s Icebox,” “Seward’s Folly”

Included timber, minerals, and CRUDE OIL (suckaaaaaas)

Ratified by just one vote

$00.02

Hawaii: A case study

An archipelago and independent kingdom (monarchy)

U.S. interests since early 1800’s: sugar trade, spreading Christianity, and military advantages in Pacific

1890: America passed a tariff on Sugar (ended up hurting American sugar growers in Hawaii)

The solution? Make it a state so that foreign taxes don’t apply.

A tax on foreign goods to make

them more expensive than domestic ones

Hawaii: A Case Study

1893: Planters overthrow Queen ‘Lil with help of American Marines.

Soldiers raise U.S. flag over Honolulu

President Cleveland is ashamed of the actions, but later President McKinley, wanting military advantage, signed resolution annexing the islands.

Hawaii made a state officially in 1959.