Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sewards-folly
noun
/ˈsuːərdz ˈfɒli/
Definition
Seward’s folly refers to the purchase of Alaska by the United States from Russia in 1867, which was initially criticized as a foolish decision.
Examples
- Many called it Seward’s folly when it was first announced.
- Now, what seemed like Seward’s folly is regarded as a tremendous acquisition for the U.S.
Meaning
The term signifies a major political decision that was later seen as beneficial, despite initial skepticism.
Synonyms
- Alaska Purchase
- Russian-American Treaty
