b) William H. Seward

The purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, negotiated by William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson, was a significant yet initially controversial decision in American history. Seward, recognizing the strategic and economic potential of Alaska, advocated for its acquisition despite skepticism and criticism from many who derisively called it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox.” The purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million, seen as a bargain in hindsight, added vast territory to the U.S. and was later proven to be immensely valuable for its natural resources. This forward-thinking move by Seward demonstrated the importance of vision in diplomacy and has been vindicated by history as a strategic masterstroke in American expansion and resource acquisition.