Which US President purchased Alaska from Russia?

malarson

It was purchased during Andrew Johnson's presidency, but it was purchased by Secretary of State William Seward. Nobody thought this was a worthwhile action, hence why Alaska was called "Seward's Folley." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska#History Sep 11 07, 9:33 PM

star_gazer

Johnson must have thought it worthwhile or the purchase would not have happened. Sep 11 07, 10:54 PM

zbeckabee

star_gazer is correct: "Johnson's most important foreign policy action was the purchase of Alaska from Russia (the future Soviet Union), which would prove vital to national security later during the Cold War. The idea and implementation is credited to Seward as Secretary of State, but Johnson approved the plan." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Johnson Sep 12 07, 9:43 AM

malarson

I agree, but at the time it wasn't too popular of an idea. Sep 12 07, 7:06 PM