In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a deal often referred to as "Seward's Folly" after Secretary of State William H. Seward. This acquisition significantly expanded U.S. territory and resources, although it was initially met with skepticism. Additionally, 1867 marked the year of the first Reconstruction Act, which aimed to rebuild the Southern states after the Civil War. This act divided the South into military districts and laid the groundwork for civil rights advancements, ultimately leading to the 14th and 15th Amendments.