Jesse Hogan and Olivia Deckers
Alaska: Success or Mistake? Bon Quiqua and West Battle it out
chilling photos uncovered
VARIOUS B
VE C TO R
Does the timeline add up?
Alaska
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AN Imperial-era Issue
The
Opinion battle
In this segment, two opinions on the American acquisition of Alaska are presented, one supporting acquisition, and the other condemning it. The staff at The Northern Light encourage you to follow the facts, follow the light, and follow the truth to the side you agree with.
Shananay Bon Quiqua Staff Writer - “SEWARD’s Folly”
What is America going to do with such a wasteland? Alaska is not more than 600,000 square miles of
ice and snow. The land is deserted, useless, and unnecessary. Our country has just been through a war! The last thing we need is to be wasting millions of dollars on a barren tundra. We need to be spending our money rebuilding the South and this country. There are people that need our help! We can’t be wasting money on the purchase of worthless territory. The Alaskan territory has shown no monumental benefit for the Russians. They are only willing to sell the territory to us because they find it the most meaningless of their lands. Just as the Russians couldn’t maintain the Alaskan territory because of Crimean War, our own battles have left us incapable of holding the land. Our country is not in the state to acquire new lands, especially not the Alaskan territory. There is no sense in America becoming part of the feuds between Russia and Great Britain. We have too many of our own problems within our own borders to be prodding into the disputes of two of the most influential nations. It would be a grave mistake for Secretary Seward to acquire the Alaskan territory, and he would be doing a great disservice to the American people. Our military would have to send countless troops to protect the region and to shoulder the cost of maintaining an Alaskan military presence would waste precious resources.
Faithfully,
Shananay Bon Quiqua
North West United States Army recruit - “A Northern Opportunity”
When we do the math, the Alaskan territory would only cost the United States cents per acre. This is
an insignificant price to pay for such a promising piece of land. Many Americans are deterred by Alaska’s cooler climate, but I urge Secretary Seward to consider the possibilities that Alaska presents. Much of Alaska is uncharted and promises endless discoveries. Americans can use Alaska much like Russia once did as an immense trading center. The United States would finally have access to the northern trading routes. Military posts could be created in Alaska to increase our global presence. It is crucial that the United States demonstrate our capabilities to at this time! After the war, we must not only look to rebuild within our borders, but also seek expansion and progress. The age in which we live demands Americans to pursue innovation. How else will we become a global force? Alaska will assist the economy by providing innumerable outlets for the sale of American good. It is imperative that we sell goods to present America as a single united front. This so-called “polar bear garden” is absolute nonsense! Alaska shows clear benefits for the American reputation, expansion, and government. It would be an immense disappointment for Secretary Seward not to push for the acquisition of the Alaskan territory.
Duly,
P. North West
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Images courtesy of The Northern Light staff and the generosity of featured artists.
thomas nast the same man who exposed William m. tweed and tammany hall now brings to you on paper american-russian relations (top left)
Timeline of alaskan negotiations The facts are startling.
1725 - Peter the Great sends Vitus Bering to search the Alaskan coast for natural resources and people Early 1800s - Some Americans settling in the West find themselves in competition with Russian traders 1859 - Russia first offered to sell the Alaskan territory to the United States 1865 - The American Civil War ends, and Secretary of State William Seward takes interest in Russia’s offer March 30, 1867 - Russian minister Edouard de Stoeckl and William Seward agree on a proposal to purchase alaska for $7.2 million April 9, 1867 - The United States Senate approves a treaty with Russia May 28, 1867 - President Andrew Johnson signs the treaty October 18, 1867 - Alaska is formally admitted to the United States
for more information, visit: http://movies2.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/harp/0420.html https://ds-omeka.haverford.edu/materiality/exhibits/show/an_infantile_ contradiction/item/129 https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/99614050/ https://roundtable.menloschool.org/issue19/4_Klein_MS_Roundtable19_ Fall_2014.pdf https://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-wildlife http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/recon/jb_recon_alaska_2.html https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/alaska.html https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/alaska-purchase https://www.history.com/news/why-the-purchase-of-alaska-was-far-fromfolly https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-alaska-purchase-folly-or-good-fortune