seward's folly

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Definition

Noun: - A historical transaction: Refers specifically to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire by the United States, negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward. The term "folly" was used mockingly by contemporary critics who believed the acquisition to be a wasteful and foolish act.

Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The term "Seward's Folly" reflects the initial public skepticism about the value of Alaska.
    • History has proven "Seward's Folly" to be a strategic and resource-rich acquisition.
Advanced Usage
  • Used as a proper noun to label this specific historical event and the controversy surrounding it.
    • The chapter on American expansion discusses "Seward's Folly" in detail.
Variants and Related Words
  • Seward's Icebox (noun): A contemporaneous derogatory nickname for Alaska following its purchase.
  • Alaska Purchase (noun): The formal, neutral name for the same 1867 transaction.
Synonyms
  • The Alaska Purchase: The formal term for the transaction.
  • Seward's Icebox: A synonymous contemporary pejorative term.
Related Idioms/Phrases
  • "[To be] a Seward's Folly": (Figurative, rare) Used to describe an investment or action initially criticized as foolish but later proven wise.
    • His decision to buy that remote land seemed like a Seward's Folly at the time, but the discovery of minerals made him rich.
Noun
  1. the transaction in 1867 in which the United States Secretary of State William Henry Seward purchased Alaska from Russia

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