Page "Andrew Johnson" Paragraph 76

Secretary of State Seward negotiated the treaty for the purchase of Alaska from Russia on April 9, 1867 for $ 7. 2 million.

This is equivalent to $ in present day terms.

Critics sneered at " Seward's Folly " and " Seward's Icebox " and " Icebergia.

" Gaining Senate approval of the Alaska treaty was Johnson's singular legislative accomplishment in the midst of a political war with Congress.

Johnson's purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867 was his most important foreign policy action.

The idea and implementation is credited to Seward as Secretary of State, but Johnson approved the plan.

Seward also negotiated to purchase the Danish West Indies, but the Senate refused to approve the purchase in 1867 ( it eventually was accomplished in 1917 ).

The Senate likewise rejected Seward's arrangement with Britain to arbitrate the Alabama Claims.