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The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a result of a deal with France, who ceded the territory to the U.S. after failing to reconqure their colony of Santo Domingo from Spain. As a result America eas able to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana territory for only 15 million dollars, about 3 cents an acre. The purchase of this vast land allowed Americans their first real opportunity to expand westward, opening the door for other land claims as Americans spread westward. -
The Adams-Onis Treaty
The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819 was a trade deal with Spain. President John Adams issued a warning to Spain, warning them to control their colony or cede it it America. In 1821 Spain agreed, surrendering Florida in return for Texas. The treaty also set the boundaries between the U.S. and Spain. The Adams-Onis Treaty finally settled the land disputes between the two countries though Spain was very much in opposition to giving up Florida. -
The Texas Annexation
The territory of Texas declared independence from Spain in 1836. President John Tyler approached Texas with a Treaty of Annexation which they eventually accepted and became a state. This caused Spain to sever all diplomatic ties with the U.S. The treaty added another state to the ever growing roster of American territories. Many Americans supported the gaining of western territory but the Mexican-American War that followed this treaty raised multiple concerns. -
The Oregon Territory
After establishing the boarder of the U.S. and Canada an increasing number of Americans traveled over the Oregon Trail to the undisputed territory. This prompted President James Polk to negotiate terms with Britain. Eventually they agreed on an extension of the 49 degree line and giving the U.S. the Oregon Territory. This finally allowed the U.S. to extend to the west coast. There was no real opposition to this treaty but the two countries agreed to postpone the negotiations due to a stalemate. -
Mexican Cession
After Texas declared independence, Congress declared war on Mexico to settle boundary disputes. Finally, after a year of fighting, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed and Mexico ceded land that would later become California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and other states. This was an important land grab by the U.S., extending their territory even further. Many Americans were hesitant to adding the new land to the union, for fear of enlarging slavery. -
The Gadsden Purchase
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo didn't solve all conflicts between the two countries. President Franklin Pierce sent James Gadsden to negotiate with Mexican President Antonio de Santa Anna. They reached an agreement; the U.S. would purchase 29,607 square miles of land from Mexico for 10 million dollars. This established the current southern boarder of the U.S. Many members of the Senate were against the Purchase, resisting the buying of more slave land.
