Seward's Folly

Seward’s Folly refers to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia by U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward. At the time, many Americans thought it was a waste of money, calling it “folly” or foolishness, because Alaska seemed like a frozen wasteland. However, the purchase turned out to be strategic and valuable, providing access to natural resources like gold, oil, and fisheries, and expanding U.S. territory. What was initially mocked as a mistake later proved to be a wise move, highlighting how some decisions that seem unwise at first can have lasting benefits.