The United States Had Concluded A Devastating Civil War

Jessica Li Mrs. Sauter Block G 12/11/14 Video Note 1865. The United States had concluded a devastating civil war. 20th Century, America will become a World Power. But first the groundwork had to be laid. Purchasing Alaska Another way of attaining territory is to buy it. Russian Alaska is vast untamed wilderness was ridiculed as a dreary waste of glaciers, ice, white bears, and walruses.† But U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward had his eye on this piece of property. Seward saw Alaska’s strategic value for trade -- or in the event of war. He also pictured potential in Alaska’s resources – especially timber and furs. Seward was so eager to secure Alaska, he entered into negotiations with the Russian envoy, the Baron Eduard de Stoeckl, without the go-ahead of the President or Congress. Though Congress had yet to approve a single cent for the deal. Few Americans, viewed Alaska as a bargain. The press mocked the purchase as â€Å"Seward’s Folly,† and â€Å"Seward’s Icebox.† But nearly one year later, and after much political wrangling, the U.S. Treasury finally wrote the check. And Alaska became a U.S. territory. Annexing Hawaii While the acquisition of Alaska was a cordial affair, other expansionist yearnings proved more troubling. Such was the case in Hawaii. In the early 1800’s, missionaries from New England made the arduous journey to Hawaii to spread Christianity. They misinterpreted the Hawaiian culture - believing that living in a paradise had kept the Hawaiians fromShow MoreRelatedCivil War as the Second American Revolution Essay965 Words   |  4 PagesThe Civil War could easily be seen as the second American Revolution considering it brought about significant change in history in the political, social, and economic aspects. 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