Asked by Makayla
Why did the Alaskan Purchase end up being profitable for the United States?
it had rich iron deposits
it was home to many people who could join the workforce
its natural beauty attracted tourists
gold and oil were found there
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
Gold and oil were found there.
Explanation: The 1867 purchase cost $7.2 million and later proved lucrative because of major resource discoveries — 1890s gold rushes (Klondike, Nome) and large oil fields (notably Prudhoe Bay in 1968, leading to the Trans‑Alaska Pipeline). Fisheries, timber and strategic military value also added to the economic return; Alaska’s sparse population and scenic tourism were far less important to the purchase’s profitability.
Explanation: The 1867 purchase cost $7.2 million and later proved lucrative because of major resource discoveries — 1890s gold rushes (Klondike, Nome) and large oil fields (notably Prudhoe Bay in 1968, leading to the Trans‑Alaska Pipeline). Fisheries, timber and strategic military value also added to the economic return; Alaska’s sparse population and scenic tourism were far less important to the purchase’s profitability.
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