U.S. Territorial Expansion Map: The Growth of a Nation by Ebarb, Emily

1783: Original 13 Colonies

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:08 UTC

With the 1783 Treaty of Paris, Great Britain recognized the original territory of the United States, consisting of the 13 former British colonies. This was the foundation of the new nation.

1803: Louisiana Purchase

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:08 UTC

President Thomas Jefferson purchased approximately 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million (about 3 cents per acre!). This massive acquisition doubled the size of the United States and included parts of 15 present-day states. The purchase secured American access to the strategic Port of New Orleans.

1819: Florida Purchase

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:08 UTC

Spain ceded Florida to the United States through the Adams-Onís Treaty. The U.S. paid Spain $5 million and agreed to assume $5 million in claims by American citizens against Spain. This acquisition helped secure the southern border of the United States.

1845: Texas Annexation

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:09 UTC

Texas joined the United States as the 28th state after existing as an independent republic for nine years. This annexation added approximately 389,000 square miles to the nation. This was a major catalyst for the Mexican-American War because the U.S. and Mexico disputed the Southwest border of Texas.

1846: Oregon Territory

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:09 UTC

The Oregon Treaty with Great Britain established the 49th parallel as the northern boundary of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This peaceful resolution of the Oregon boundary dispute added the Oregon Territory to the United States, including present-day Oregon, Washington, and parts of Idaho.

1848: Mexican Cession

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:09 UTC

Following the Mexican-American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo resulted in Mexico ceding approximately 525,000 square miles to the United States for $15 million. This included present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

1853: Gadsden Purchase

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:00:09 UTC

The United States purchased approximately 30,000 square miles from Mexico for $10 million. This acquisition, negotiated by James Gadsden, secured a southern rail route to California and established the current southern border of the United States with Mexico.

1783 Treaty of Paris

ee01_1 — 2025-01-25 20:19:03 UTC

The 1783 Treaty of Paris was negotiated as a treaty between Great Britain and the United States. It recognized American independence and Great Britian ceded most of its territory east of the Mississippi River to the United States, doubling the size of the new nation and paving the way for westward expansion.

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