how did our young country grew from the 13 original colonies into a country with land from "sea to shining sea
The expansion of the United States from the 13 original colonies to a country with land from "sea to shining sea" was a gradual and complex process that involved various factors and events. Here is a general overview:
1. Louisiana Purchase (1803): One of the most significant events was the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France. President Thomas Jefferson purchased this vast territory, which doubled the size of the United States and provided access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans.
2. Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806): Following the Louisiana Purchase, President Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on an expedition to explore and map the newly acquired territory. This expedition helped to understand the geography, resources, and potential settlements in the west.
3. Oregon Country (1818): The Oregon Country, comprising present-day Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming, was jointly occupied by both the United States and Great Britain. A treaty signed in 1818 allowed for the shared occupation, but later negotiations and settlements led to the United States gaining full control over this territory.
4. Texas Independence (1836): After a revolution against Mexican rule, Texas declared independence in 1836. It eventually joined the United States in 1845 as the 28th state, leading to a dispute with Mexico regarding the Texas-Mexico border.
5. Mexican-American War (1846-1848): The United States went to war with Mexico over territorial disputes. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, Mexico ceded nearly half its territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
6. Gadsden Purchase (1853): To establish a southern route for a transcontinental railroad, the United States purchased a strip of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico.
7. Alaska Purchase (1867): The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, significantly increasing its territory. At the time, many Americans considered this a foolish purchase, but Alaska turned out to be rich in natural resources.
8. Settlements, Homesteading, and Westward Expansion: As the United States expanded westward, settlers migrated across the continent, often motivated by promises of free land (Homestead Act of 1862), the California Gold Rush, opportunities for farming, and religious freedom. This led to the establishment of new states and territories.
Overall, the growth of the country from the original 13 colonies to a nation spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific was a result of diplomatic negotiations, territorial acquisitions, exploration, conflicts, and the westward migration of pioneers.