Alaska & Hawaii Expansion

Definition

The Alaska & Hawaii Expansion refers to the United States' acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1867 and annexation of Hawaii in 1898, which expanded U.S. territory into the Pacific.

Analogy

Think of the U.S. as a growing family that needs more space, so it decides to add two new rooms (Alaska and Hawaii) to its house (territory).

Related terms

Seward's Folly: The purchase of Alaska from Russia by Secretary of State William Seward in 1867, initially seen as a foolish decision but later recognized for its strategic value.

Queen Liliuokalani: The last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii who was overthrown by American-backed businessmen leading to Hawaii's annexation.

Manifest Destiny: A widely held belief in the 19th century United States that American settlers were destined to expand across North America.