Final answer:
Seward's purchase of Alaska was initially criticized as a folly due to its perceived lack of value and the challenges it presented; however, subsequent discoveries of gold and oil transformed perceptions about its strategic importance.
Step-by-step explanation:
People criticized Secretary of State William Seward's purchase of Alaska, commonly labeled as Seward's Folly, for several reasons. Critics pointed to the vast, sparsely populated region with its unknown potential and the challenges of governing its native populations.
Initially viewed as a significant governmental expenditure on a seemingly valueless icy wilderness, the purchase was mockingly referred to as 'Seward's Icebox'. The skepticism was further fueled by doubts over managing Alaska's environmental integrity and the repercussions of industrial development on indigenous cultures.
However, the discovery of gold during the Klondike Gold Rush and later, the immense oil reserves in 1968, significantly altered the perception of Alaska's value, illustrating the strategic foresight behind the acquisition. These natural resources helped to quell the initial negative sentiments, and with the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, Alaska became a critical asset in reducing dependence on foreign oil, albeit with environmental concerns and compromises such as the elevated design for the migration of caribou.