The United States acquired its first piece of land in 1783; this being the 13 colonies that had fought so hard for their independence during the Revolutionary War. There was a twenty-year period where the country was far too busy establishing itself, becoming stable and putting a constitution into effect to be worried about acquiring new territory. But eventually, the need arose to expand. Under the idea of Manifest Destiny, which was the belief that the United States was divinely mandated to expand from coast to coast, the country began to use any means necessary to expand. Among these were unprovoked wars, purchases from other countries, and treaties.

Before the United States had even considered annexing the Republic of Texas, tensions between Mexico and the U.S. had arisen and become increasingly problematic. When the annexation was approved by Congress in 1845, Mexico cut off all it’s ties with the United States. Beyond that, constant disputes over the southernmost border of the newly annexed territory were cause fo

Through all these means, the United States gradually grew into what it now is today; a continental nation, stretching from coast to coast. Indeed the United States did follow through with the idea of Manifest Destiny, and by whatever means necessary acquired all of the territory that was needed to spread from coast to coast. While some may argue that the U.S. was overly aggressive, surely they would not wish to have their home be under Mexican or Spanish rule.

The more peaceful means of acquiring territory was by purchase, which naturally was agreed upon by both parties. Most notable of these such purchases would undoubtedly have to be the Louisiana purchase, which was a 2,000,000 square mile territory that was acquired by a treaty with France, under Napoleon Bonaparte, for he price of about 60 million francs, or roughly $15 million; $11,250,000 was to be paid directly, with the balance to be covered by the assumption by the United States of French debts to American citizens. Along with this was another acquisition from Mexico, known as the Gadsden Purchase. In 1853

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