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1787: Northwest Ordinance
This document gave the U.S. the Northwest Territory. It was passed to set up a government in the northwest, and to regulate industry in the territory as well. Though this document was replaced by the Northwest Ordinance if 1789, it started the regulation of the Northwest Territory. Did you know that the territory spanned more than 1 million acres?
Which two rivers bounded the territory?
Ohio & Mississippi
Colorado & Rio Grande
Columbia & Arkansas
Mississippi & Columbia -
1803: Louisiana Purchase
This was an event that gave the U.S. the Louisiana Territory, which went from present-day Montana to Louisiana. The land costed $15 million. This purchase doubled the size of the U.S. with land that was mostly used for farming. (http://www.history.com/topics/louisiana-purchase/videos/louisiana-purchase-doubles-size-of-america) Fun Fact: The size of the purchase was a monstrous 828,000 square feet. -
1804-1806: Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first American expedition to cross the present-day western portion of the U.S. The expedition lasted over 2 years, and nearly 4,000 miles long. When they returned, they had many tales to tell about the expedition. This led to the California Gold Rush many years later. Did you know that Lewis and Clark had only one hostile encounter with Indians? Fun Fact: 33 people were involved in the expedition. -
1812-1815: War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a war that was fought because of trade restrictions, impressment of as many as 10,000 American merchant sailors, British support of Indian tribes fighting European Americans, and insults to the national honor. The war lasted from 1812 to 1815 with as many as 2,260 casualties. Did you know that Britain was already at war with France? (http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812/videos/americans-and-british-face-off-in-war-of-1812?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false) -
1819: Adams-Onis Treaty
This treaty ceded florida with the U.S. and defined the border between the U.S. and New Spain. The treaty was signed because of a long border dispute involving the two countries. The "border" was along the Sabine River and Spanish Texas. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJsxsA869c8) Fun Fact: Another name for the Adams-Onis Treaty is the Transcontinental Treaty. -
1821: Santa Fe Trail Opens
This trail was a trail that went from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It served as a vital commercial highway until the Santa Fe railroad was opened in 1880. There was a Cherokee commission that had to be paid before crossing the trail.
Where did the trail start?
A. Independence, Missouri
B. Chicago, Illinois
C. Austin, Texas
D. Washington, D.C.
Did you know that the trail hastened the decline of Comanche power in that region. -
1830: Indian Removal Act
This law granted Andrew Jackson all Indian land west of the Mississippi River and authorized the relocation of all Indians living there. This treaty caused a conflict and the Indians had to be removed forcefully. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQfP2Y2t45U) Did you know few tribes of the removal went peacefully. -
1845-1849: James Polk Becomes President
On March 4, 1845, James Polk became the 11th U.S. president. During his presidency, he accomplished many things, but perhaps his greatest accolade was the acquisition of California and New Mexico, which costed $15,000,000. Polk died in June of 1849 due to unknown health problems. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmAMZShNqXg)
How much did Polk gain California and New Mexico for?
A. $10,000,000
B. $2,000,000
C. $20,000,000
D. $7,000,000 -
1845: Texas Annexation
This event brought the Republic of Texas into the U.S. which added about 389,200 square miles of land to the U.S. Texas was the 28th territory annexed into the U.S. at the time. John Tyler was the president of the U.S. at the time. Fun Fact: The Texas Territory spanned about 5 present-day states. Did you know that the Republic of Texas secured the nomination of James K. Polk? -
1846: Oregon Country
This piece of land was acquired in 1846 thanks to the Oregon Treaty. This treaty established the American-British border at the 19th parallel except for Vancouver Island. This area now forms part of the present-day Canadian of British Columbia. Great Britain, France, Russia, and Spain all originally claimed the land. Did you know that the original name for the Oregon Territory was "Columbia District"? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daQNK9jijFY) -
1846-1848: Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War marked the first U.S. conflict chiefly on foreign soil. The war had been sparked by a border dispute, and when all was said and done, Mexico lost about 1/3 of its territory. With many losses, Mexico turned to Santa Anna for help. Soon after, all intents for war ended, and the U.S. awaited a government that could make negotiations with Mexico. Fun Fact: The Nueces river was the original U.S.-Mexico border. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7AXuxcUleY) -
1847: Mormons Settle In Utah
Brigham Young and his fellow colleagues, after finishing a treacherous thousand-mile journey, arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley and called it home. They chose the Great Salt Lake Valley because they wanted an isolated place from society as a result of the violence they had experienced. They had called it the "Promised Land".
What did they call their new home?
A. Good Land
B. Promised Land
C. Holy Land
D. Private Land
(www.history.com/topics/us-states/utah/videos/a-mormon-state) -
1848: Mexican Cession
This area of land was the third largest land acquisition by the U.S. It gave the U.S and extra 529,000 square miles of land to mold into whatever they wanted. It enticed more people to migrate to the U.S. as well. Did you know that the land was originally Alta California? Fun Fact: Nicholas Trist forced the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
1849: California Gold Rush
This event was started when gold nuggets were found in Sacramento Valley in 1848. News of this spread, and eventually thousands of people moved to California hoping to become rich. A total of $2 billion worth precious metal was found in this region. (http://www.history.com/topics/gold-rush-of-1849) Fun Fact: Many people initially didn't believe the news. -
1853: Gadsden Purchase
This event marked the acquisition of present-day Arizona and New Mexico. The land was 29,670 square miles of mostly desert. It was gained via a treaty signed by James Gadsden, on December 30, 1853.
How big was the Gadsden Purchase?
A. 29,670 sq. mi.
B. 31,964 sq. mi.
C. 28,403 sq. mi.
D. 34,739 sq. mi.
Did you know that James Gadsden was the U.S. ambassador to Mexico at the time? -
1867: Alaska Purchase
On March 30, 1867, the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The Treaty with Russia was negotiated and signed by Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister Edouard de Stoeckl.
Fun Fact: The event's original name was "Seward's Folly.
(https://www.c-span.org/video/?72923-1/alaska-purchase)
