Alaska Citizenship Practice Exam

The significant purchase from Russia that occurred in 1867 is the acquisition of Alaska. This pivotal event is known as the Alaska Purchase, where the United States agreed to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. At the time, the purchase was met with skepticism and referred to as "Seward's Folly" after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the deal. Many believed the land was barren and worthless. However, Alaska turned out to be rich in natural resources, including gold, oil, and fish, which greatly enhanced American territory and helped expand the nation economically.

The other options listed—California, Florida, and Texas—were not purchased from Russia nor were they acquired around that time. California and Texas were originally part of Mexico and were acquired through war and annexation processes in the 19th century, while Florida was purchased from Spain in 1819. Therefore, the Alaska Purchase stands out as a distinctive event involving Russia, highlighting its significance in American history.