One event that proves that the US purchase of Alaska had been a good investment is the discovery of significant reserves of oil and natural gas in the state. In the 1960s and 1970s, large oil and gas fields were discovered on the North Slope of Alaska, resulting in a major boom in the state's economy. The Prudhoe Bay oil field, discovered in 1968, is one of the largest oil fields in North America and has provided billions of barrels of oil to the US market. This discovery led to a substantial increase in revenue for both the state of Alaska and the US federal government, as well as the creation of numerous jobs and economic opportunities. The revenue generated from the oil industry has far exceeded the initial purchase price of Alaska, proving that it has been a profitable investment for the United States.
