The U.S. Territory History Essay

Submitted By NQ420362207
Words: 467
Pages: 2

In 1776, the United States independence from Britain, the territory of the US only has 13 states along the Atlantic Ocean. How the United State expand her land so much in such a short time? During the 19 century, the federal government promoted westward expansion by using a variety of methods, such as purchase, cession, annexation, war or treaty. This expansion changed the shape and character of the country. More and more territory lead the United States became one of the largest countries in the world. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars. At that time, France was busy to control the whole of Europe and had no time to concern about her colonies in the America. Also, France needed money to establish the army. Therefore, the France would have accepted a low price to sell the Louisiana Territory. This is the Louisiana Purchase as shown in document 1. After the Louisiana Purchase, the size of the US had doubled. From document 3, we can know that the United States gained the Texas by going war with Mexico. Texas had independent from Mexico, but most of Texans were Americans and they asked the United States to annex Texas and take it over. The United States went to war with Mexico in order to decide the border of Texas. Finally, the United States won the war, and it called Texas Annexation. Also, the United States took over the Southwest land of Texas from Mexico, called Mexican Cession. Treaty with other country, occupied the ownerless territory, are another ways that the United States expand its land. Land expansion had also brought a variety of problems. From document 6, in order to let the citizens settled at new territory, the United States passed the Homestead