Seward's Folly

American  

noun

U.S. History.

1. the purchase of Alaska in 1867, through the negotiations of Secretary of State W. H. Seward.

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Etymology

Origin of Seward's Folly

So called because Alaska was regarded as worthless land

Example Sentences

Critics called the purchase 'Seward's Folly', arguing the land amounted to a frozen wasteland.

From BBC

The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, in a deal disparaged at the time as “Seward’s Folly,” for $7.2 million.

From Washington Times

Secretary of State William H. Seward reached agreement with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for $7.2 million, a deal ridiculed by critics as “Seward’s Folly.”

From Washington Times

The purchase arranged by the secretary of state was ridiculed at the time as “Seward’s Folly” by critics who also called the territory “Seward’s Icebox.”

From Seattle Times

At the time, however, it was ridiculed as "Seward's folly," with many in the press arguing that he had wasted taxpayer money on a frozen wasteland.

From Salon