We bought Alaska fair and square from the Tsar. The purchase, at the time, was derided as “Seward’s Folly”. The things we used to learn in history class ...
Between yellow gold and black gold, Seward arranged a VERY good deal.
Then there’s the whole business of Russia not having a foothold on the North American Continent.
“We bought Alaska fair and square from the Tsar.”
Yes, we did. Next to the Louisiana Purchase, it was the best deal the US ever made.