How Did America Get So Big?

From Purchase to Power, Is Greenland America’s next territory? And, Expanding Horizons: How Land Acquisitions Shaped Modern America.

The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 stands out as one of the most celebrated land acquisitions in history, where the United States, led by President Thomas Jefferson, purchased around 828,000 square miles of territory from France for $15 million. Lets get into the details and see how it happened and why.

The United States has expanded its territory through several key land acquisitions, each with profound implications for its growth and international standing. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was a landmark event, where the U.S. doubled its size by buying 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million, facilitating westward expansion and laying the groundwork for debates on federal powers. Similarly, the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million initially seemed like a folly but proved invaluable due to its natural resources and strategic location.

The Real Reasons Trump Wants GreenLand:

1. America’s Security: This would ensure America control more of the North American region.
2. More Resources – If America acquired Greenland, they could earn Royalties just like Citizens in Alaska do on oil.

The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 after the overthrow of its monarchy and the acquisition of Puerto Rico following the Spanish-American War further illustrate the diverse methods by which the U.S. expanded. Hawaii became a state in 1959, cementing U.S. presence in the Pacific, while Puerto Rico remains a commonwealth, with ongoing debates about its political status. These acquisitions not only increased the geographical scope of the United States but also influenced its cultural, economic, and political landscape, shaping national policy and identity.

How did America Get So Big?

The history of the United States acquiring land is marked by a series of significant purchases and treaties that expanded its territory dramatically. One of the most renowned is the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, where the United States, under President Thomas Jefferson, bought from France approximately 828,000 square miles of land for $15 million. This transaction doubled the size of the young nation, extending its boundaries west to the Rocky Mountains and south to New Orleans. The purchase was not without controversy, as it raised constitutional questions about the federal government’s power to acquire new territories, but it ultimately facilitated westward expansion and the growth of American agricultural and industrial might.

The acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1867 represents another pivotal moment in U.S. territorial expansion. Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated this deal, purchasing nearly 600,000 square miles for $7.2 million, or about two cents per acre. Initially mocked as “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox” by critics who doubted the value of such a remote and frigid region, Alaska proved to be rich in natural resources, particularly gold and later oil, transforming it into a strategic and economic asset. This purchase further positioned the United States as a significant player in the Pacific, influencing its foreign policy and trade routes.

Hawaii’s integration into the United States occurred through a different set of circumstances. American interest in Hawaii intensified in the late 19th century, driven by economic interests in sugar production and strategic military positioning. In 1893, a group of American businessmen and sugar planters, with the support of U.S. Marines, overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy, leading to a period of provisional government. After a few years of debate and amidst the nationalistic fervor following the Spanish-American War, Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898. It wasn’t until 1959 that Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state, marking a significant cultural and demographic shift for the nation.

The acquisition of Puerto Rico came as part of the spoils of the Spanish-American War. In 1898, following the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States along with Guam and the Philippines. Unlike the other territories, Puerto Rico did not become a state but instead became a U.S. territory, or commonwealth, with a complex relationship to the mainland. It has its own constitution, but the U.S. Congress retains authority over its affairs. The status of Puerto Rico has been a subject of debate, with various referendums held over the years to discuss statehood, independence, or continued commonwealth status.

Each of these land acquisitions involved not just the transfer of territory but also significant cultural, economic, and political implications. The Louisiana Purchase, for instance, not only expanded the United States but also set precedents for how the nation would deal with new territories and their inhabitants, including issues of statehood and governance. Similarly, the acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii expanded U.S. influence in the Pacific, while Puerto Rico’s status has kept debates about colonialism and self-determination alive within American political discourse.

In summary, the history of America’s land acquisitions through purchases like the Louisiana Purchase, Alaska, and annexations like Hawaii and Puerto Rico, showcases the nation’s evolution from a coastal republic to a continental and later an international power. These transactions have shaped the geopolitical landscape, influenced domestic policy, and continue to affect the nation’s identity and international relations.