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Louisiana Purchase- France
For a mere four cents an acre, the US bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. President Thomas Jefferson wanted control of the port city of New Orleans. The US doubled in size, gaining 828,000 square miles for the price of $15M. Jefferson originally just wanted New Orleans, but instead bought all of the territory. With this amazing deal, the US doubled its size for the low, low price of $15 million dollars, but most importantly, got control of the port of New Orleans. -
Corps of Discovery
With 828,000 newly-bought sq. miles from France and no clue what the land was like, Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to map and record the land, but also to make friends with the Indians. The journey started in St. Louis, MO in 1804 and ended in 1806. Along the way, they met Sacagawea, who helped them communicate with other Indians. They were looking for a waterway to the Pacfic, but the rivers were not fit for ships. Even though they didn't find a waterway, their expedition was still a success. -
War of 1812
Ever wondered why the war of 1812 is not very well known? It's propably because no one won the war. It ended in a stalemate, a tie. No one gained or lossed anything. The war happened becuase England was mad at America because America stayed neurtal during the war between France and England. The English started to cut off trade boats and took Americans captive. The war ended two years later without a winner. Today, the US and Britain are friends, having almost forgotten the War of 1812. -
Florida Territory
Lots of people live in Florida today. If it wasn't for the Adams-Onis treaty, the people in Florida might be speaking Spanish. Andrew Jackson was originally sent down to take back slaves from the states taken by the Indians. Instead, Jackson took over all of Florida, and even overthrew the Governor. Adams and Onis then signed a treaty for the US to pay $5 million for the land. Life in Florida would have been very different under Spainish rule. For example, there might not be DisneyWorld. -
Monroe Doctrine
If something was your business, would you want someone interfering with it? Monroe didn't want European countries coming over and taking land. The Monroe Doctrine said that European countries couldn't settle on land in North and South America. Also, Europeon countries couldn't interfere with US politics, and in return, the US would do the same. If Europeon countries tried to settle, America would fight for the land. America would have had a hard time expanding westward without this policy. -
Indian Removal Act & the Trail of Tears
Andrew Jackson was not a fan of Indians. Even though Indians helped the US fight against other countries, he stil made them move off their homeland. Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which moved all of the Indian tribes off their and and moved them to present day Oklahoma. The Indians had to walk the trail of tears to Oklahoma. Thousands of Indians died along the trail. If Andrew Jackson hadn't issued this act, we might still be fighting with the Indians for land. -
Republic of Texas
Have you ever ever noticed that Texans are very proud of their history? It's probably because they won their independence from Mexico by themselves. They won their independence on March 2, 1836. They were their own country for nine years and during those years, they wanted to join the Union, but had to find the right time. James K. Polk let them join the US and become a state. If Polk had not become President, Texas would propably be it's own country. -
Oregon Territory
Have you ever had to share something that you didn't want to? America didn't want to share the Oregon territory with the British. America wanted the 54* 40' line of latitude or America would fight for their land! Eventually, James Polk agreed on the 49th parallel, which is still the boundary today. Out of the deal, America got Oregon and Washington, and parts of Idaho. Without this deal, Oregon and Washington might not have existed. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Las Vegas is the biggest city in Nevada. Without the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Las Vegas would have never existed. The Treaty ended the Mexican American War, giving US the southwestern land. The US paid $15 million for the land, the same price as the Lousiana Territory. The treaty gave the US the states of Californa, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Las Vegas would have never existed without the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
