Overseas Expansion Quiz 1-5

The US acquired Alaska by buying it from Russia. In 1867, the US government purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, in a deal known as the Alaska Purchase. This purchase was negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward, who believed that Alaska had great potential for resources and trade. Despite initial skepticism and criticism, the acquisition of Alaska turned out to be a valuable investment for the US, as it eventually became a major source of gold, oil, and other natural resources. Today, Alaska is the largest state in the US by land area.

William Seward's goals were to establish an American empire that had dominance over the Caribbean, Central America, and the Pacific. This would involve expanding American influence and control over these regions, potentially through military and economic means. The answer choice reflects Seward's ambition to extend American power and influence beyond its borders, encompassing strategic areas such as the Caribbean, Central America, and the Pacific.

Alfred Thayer Mahan is the correct answer because he believed that a strong navy and control of the seas were crucial for a nation's success and greatness. He argued that sea power was essential for economic and military dominance, and his ideas greatly influenced naval strategies and policies of many countries, including the United States.

Commodore Matthew Perry's visit to Japan led to the treaty of Kanagawa. He was a United States Navy officer who was sent by President Millard Fillmore to negotiate a treaty with Japan in 1853. Perry's visit was significant because it marked the end of Japan's isolationist policy and opened up trade and diplomatic relations between Japan and the Western world. The treaty of Kanagawa allowed for the establishment of American trade and consular relations in Japan, and it paved the way for further Western influence and modernization in the country.

William H. Seward's belief in expansionism led to the building of the Panama Canal. Seward, who served as the Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln and President Andrew Johnson, was a strong advocate for American expansion and the acquisition of new territories. He is best known for negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, a move that was widely criticized at the time but later proved to be a valuable acquisition. Seward also supported the idea of constructing a canal across Central America to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which eventually led to the building of the Panama Canal.