-
Original 13 Colonies
The United States gained control of this land by fighting, and beating, Great Britain in the Revolutionary War. They were a new, and free independent nation. The Declaration of Independence was a document declaring the colonies independence from Great Britain.The American Revolution was 8 years long, from 1776-1783. It ruined the brand new U.S. Economy. -
Period: to
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny is the belief shared by many Americans in the mid-1800's that the United States was meant to expand across North America to the Pacific Ocean. They believed that this was their divine right, given to them by God. -
Northwest Territory
The U.S. obtained this land when it's new borders were set in the Treaty of Paris of 1783. The Great Lakes were the northern border, the Mississippi the western, and 31*N formed the southern. Five states were created out of this territory, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The 5 requirements for a territory to become a state were:
1. Population of 60,000+
2. Draft Constitution
3. Draft Bill of Rights
4. Provide Free Public Education
5. Get Permission from Congress -
Louisiana Purchase
America bought the land under the Louisiana Purchase from France with a treaty of purchase. President Jefferson bought this land for $15 million. New Orleans and the Mississippi were very important to the U.S. because the Mississippi was like a bloodline for the central U.S., and New Orleans was one of the biggest ports in North America.The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The Seminole Indians were raiding U.S. towns and aiding runaway slaves. President Monroe sent General Jackson to secure the border, and he invaded Florida. This act was unconstitutional, because he went against President Monroe's orders. Both Spain and America agreed upon the Adams-Onis Treaty. This stated that the U.S. gained all of Florida, and gave up all of Texas. It also had to take responsibility for all claims against Spain for up to $5 million. -
Texas Annexation 3
The U.S. didn't allow Texas to enter the Union as a state because it didn't want to tip the balance of slavery vs. no-slavery. Since Texas allowed slavery, the South could make it legal everywhere in America. -
Texas Annexation 1
The word "Annex" means to take control of a land and incorporate it into a country, state, etc. The new Mexican Government made promises to Americans to get them to come to Texas, like cheap or even free land, and that slavery was completely legal. After a while, the Mexican Government was taking away these people's rights. They were saying that you had to become a Mexican citizen, obey Mexican laws, support the Roman Catholic Church, and the biggest one, slavery was becoming outlawed. -
Texas Annexation 2
The Mexican Central Government was becoming more and more strict, until they completely suspended the Constitution, making Texas rebel. The Texans were slowly driven east, until they crushed Mexico at San Jacinto, and made the President sign a treaty giving Texas independence. Texas had problems with its economy because it had no cash, and almost went bankrupt. Mexico also still considered Texas its land, which led to more fighting between the two. -
Mexican Cession
The main issue that led to the Mexican-American War was the Annexation of Texas to become a U.S. State. The war was ended with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Under the Mexican Cession, the U.S. created California, Nevada, and Utah. Parts of present day Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming were also included. In total, the size of the U.S. increased by 25%. -
Oregon Territory
The U.S. originally shared the Oregon Territory with Great Britain. America was trying to avoid a war with Britain over this land, which ended with the two countries signing a treaty. Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and small parts of Montana were created out of the Oregon Territory. -
Gadsden Purchase
The U.S. agreed to purchase this land to avoid another dispute with Mexico, right after the Mexican-American War. The U.S. paid $10 million for what is the bottom of Arizona and New Mexico, finishing off those states. With the Gadsden Purchase, the belief of Manifest Destiny is finally complete.The Continental Boundaries were now set, with the United States reaching from sea to sea.