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The
Expansion
of the
United States
The United States we
have studied is made up of
just 13 colonies! You are
going to learn how the
land west of the 13
colonies became a part of
the United States!
Northwest Territory
1783
• Lands between the Mississippi River and
the Appalachian Mountains
• America gained these lands after the
British was defeated and the Treaty of
Paris was signed.
• This was the 1st event that added land to
the U.S.
• Many rivers
Louisiana Purchase
1803
• Thomas Jefferson wanted to buy the land
around city of New Orleans for $10 million
to help farmers along the Mississippi
transport products.
• France offered Jefferson the entire
Louisiana Territory for $15 million. 3 cents
an acre.
• It doubled the size of the United States.
– It stretched from the Mississippi River to the
Rocky Mountains.
Louisiana Purchase
continued…
• Jefferson sent Lewis & Clark to explore the
lands.
• They brought back maps showing the
major rivers and mountains that helped
future pioneers find their way to the Pacific
Ocean.
Florida Purchase
1819
• Florida was once a colony of Spain.
• Conflict between boundary of Louisiana
Territory and New Spain.
• Slaves were escaping from the Southern
U.S. and found safety in Florida.
• After the Seminole Wars, Spain realized
they could not control Florida.
• They sold it to the U.S. for $5 million
dollars.
Texas Annexation
1845
• Texas was part of Mexico.
• Cotton planters from the South moved
to Texas and brought slaves with them.
• The Mexican gov. outlawed slavery and
Texans fought for independence.
• Texas wanted to be a part of USA, but
became an independent country for 9
years.
• President James Polk finally declared
Texas a state in 1845.
Oregon Territory
1846
• The U.S. claimed this area based on
explorations of Lewis and Clark. The British
also claimed this area.
• Fur traders and farmers moved to the
territory.
• People began traveling on the Oregon Trail.
• After much debate, the Oregon Treaty was a
compromise with Great Britain that set
northern boundary at 49th parallel.
Mexican Cession
1848
• The US wanted a port on the Pacific coast. Polk
tried to buy this land from Mexico, but they
would not sell.
• The US sent troops to Texas near the Mexican
boarder. Shots were fired and the Mexican War
began.
• Mexico was defeated and signed a treaty.
• It created New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah,
and Nevada.
• The US now had a Pacific port and access to
gold.
Now, the United States
has expanded from the
East Coast to the West
Coast! Which two oceans
are on these coasts?
MANIFEST DESTINY