The Changing Boundaries of the United States
Essential Question
How and where did American borders expand?
The Changing Boundaries of the United States
The United States in 1817
Acquired from England by the Treaty of Paris at the end of the American Revolution
Louisiana Purchase (1803) purchased from France that doubled the size of the United States
The United States in 1821
The U.S. eventually forced Spain to part with Florida in 1819. Formal U.S. occupation began in 1821, was organized as a U.S. territory in 1822, and was admitted into the Union in 1845.
The United States in 1846
After the Texas Revolution in 1845, the United States annexed (captured) Texas, which had been part of Mexico
Treaties with Britain in 1818 and 1842 filled in other very small portions of the United States along the northern border.
The United States in 1848-1849
The United States acquired the Oregon Territory from England in 1846 through negotiations
Acquired by conquest in 1848 from Mexico at the end of the Mexican-American War
The United States in 1853
Gadsden Purchase (1853) was a purchase from Mexico in 1853 completed the mainland United States
Discussion Questions
America expanded through treaties and conquest. Which contributed more to the growth of the United States?
What might be some effects of America's changing borders?
Activity 1: What were the main events that changed the boundaries of the United States?
Using the information from this lesson, answer the questions in a thinking map. Complete this assignment digitally or on paper. It will be collected in your portfolio.
Extension Activity
