From which nation did the United States purchase Alaska?

The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. This acquisition, known as the Alaska Purchase, was negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward. The U.S. bought Alaska for $7.2 million, a deal that was initially met with skepticism by some who referred to it as "Seward's Folly," questioning the value of the largely icy expanse. However, the purchase later proved advantageous, especially with the discovery of natural resources such as gold and oil in the region.

To understand this context, it's important to note that Canada is not a separate nation from the United States but rather a neighboring country that was still a British colony at the time of the purchase. Great Britain held claims in North America but did not have a direct role in the sale of Alaska. France was also not involved in this transaction, as the U.S. had no direct dealings with France regarding Alaska. This historical context clarifies why Russia is the correct answer, as it was the nation that owned Alaska at the time of sale to the United States.