3
AssignmentMultiple Choice

American Imperialism in the Pacific

Question 3 • MCPSS AL-Grade 6 United States Studies: The Industrial Revolution to the Present - Summer School 2026

Why did some people oppose Seward’s proposal to purchase Alaska?

Answer
A
All Americans believed that the US was large enough and there was no need for expansion.
B
Alaska had already been explored and was found to lack resources to support the economy.
C
The country was already in debt, and Alaska’s climate and terrain were viewed as too cold.
D
The belief in Manifest Destiny kept many Americans satisfied in their own local area.

Explanation

Some Americans opposed buying Alaska because the United States had significant financial concerns after the Civil War, and the purchase seemed like an unnecessary expense. They also viewed Alaska as a remote, icy region with harsh terrain and little apparent value. These objections match choice C: the country was in debt, and Alaska was considered too cold.

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