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 Territory1783

• 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

• 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 Purchase1803

• 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.

Louisiana Purchasecontinued…

Mississippi R

iver

Rocky M

ountains

• 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.

Florida Purchase1819

• 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.

Texas Annexation1845

• 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.

Oregon Territory1846

• 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.

Mexican Cession1848

Now, the United States Now, the United States has expanded from the has expanded from the East Coast to the West East Coast to the West

Coast! Which two oceans Coast! Which two oceans are on these coasts?are on these coasts?

MANIFEST DESTINY