How did the United States expand its territory in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, the United States underwent a significant expansion of its territory through various means. One crucial method was the acquisition of land through treaties and negotiations. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 expanded the nation's domain by 828,000 square miles, when President Thomas Jefferson purchased the territory from France. The country also expanded its territory through war, such as the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848, which resulted in the United States gaining large portions of what is now the American Southwest. Additionally, annexations, like the incorporation of Texas in 1845 and the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, further increased U.S. territorial holdings. This expansion was motivated by various factors, including manifest destiny, a belief that it was the nation's destiny to spread its democratic principles and secure its economic interests across North America. Overall, these territorial acquisitions significantly shaped the geography and development of the United States throughout the 19th century.

Manifest Destiny Louisiana Purchase Mexican-American War Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo Oregon Trail