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Lousisana Purchase
The Louisiana Territory one of the greatest purchases the early U.S made. France was in need of money, and we offererd to buy the city of New Orleans. They responded by letting us but the entire Lousisana Purchase for only 5 million dollars more. In all that brought it up to 15 million. However, for the 800,000 sq miles of land that was 4 cents per acre. The Lousiana Purchase was a big part of the early Americans expanding westward and a smart buy, -
Corps of Discovery
The Adventures of Lewis and Clark are very well known, but where did it all start? Lewis and Clark set out on an expidtion to explore west and find a clear waterway all the way to Oregon. They were to record everything and make peace with the tribes. On their adventure they encountered a woman by the name of Sacagawea, and she acted as a guide on the rest of their journey, They returned to President Jackson in 1806 ending their great mark in history. -
War of 1812
A war that often gets forgotten about is the War Of 1812. Also known as the war of poor communitcation, this war was between the British and the Americans. The biggest battle of this war was the Battle of New Orleans. No one actually won this war, hence the name the war of poor communitcation. A peace treaty was actually signed before the battle started so it was all worth nothing in the end. What did come out of it was the Star Spangled Banner, and the first American flag. -
Florida Territory
The Florida territory was acquired in 1819, however in 1818 a Spaniard by the name of Luisde Onís. He declined, but that wasn't about to stop America. Andrew Jackson sent troops to guard the border, because escaped slaves were crossing it and going into Spain's territory. However, he then invaded into Spain's land, capturing forts and such. After that they offered Spain 5 million dollars for the Florida territory, and this time they accepted. -
The Monroe Doctrine
The document known as the Monroe Doctrine has 4 points. The first was to keep European nations from interfering with any of the Americas civil problems. After that, it stated that the U.S. would not recognize and or interfere with North and South America. The next was that the Western hemisphere was completely off limits for colonization. In fact the next part states that if anyone did colonize the U.S. would take it as a direct threat and it qualify as a hostile act. It was signed by Polk. -
Indian Removal Act
Possibly one of the worst things that could happen in U.S. history, the Indian Removal Act, was in forced by our 7th president Andrew Jackson. In 1830, 10's of thousands of Indian Americans were forced out of their homes to walk to nowadays Oklahoma. There were 5 main tribes, the Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Cherokee. The Cherokee resisted and was ultimately defeated and now had to walk what we call today, The Trail of Tears. -
Texas
Under the reign of James K. Polk America gained 3 territories, the first was Texas. Texas was originally part of Spain, but Mexico came and took it over. American settlers were in Texas territory with a deal from Spain, but Mexico wanted to change that deal. Texicans wanted free from Mexico and became The republic of Texas. Santa Anna, the president of Mexico, granted them freedom with a sword to his throat letting them become part of the U.S. -
Mexican American war (treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo)
The Mexican American War could have been avoided, as President Polk had offered to buy the land from Mexico. However, he just wanted a little bit at the bottom for the railroad, but Mexico said no and we went to war. The U.S. won the war and again the U.S. offered to buy that land, only this time it was for the entire chunk, and for 15 million dollars. It ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1846 and that concluded the expansion of the west. -
Oregon Territory
James K. Polk had a slogan he used to get the people riled up, and it was 54 40 or fight! When he started this he was speaking of the coordinates for the territory he wanted from Great Britain. However, they settled on the 49 degree line and did not go to war. Every thing above that line is nowadays Canada. To acquire this land they signed the Treaty of Oregon in 1846.
