How Did America Get So Big?

The United States of America, often referred to as the “land of the free,” spans across an immense landmass of approximately 3.8 million square miles, making it one of the largest countries in the world. But how did this country, which began as a collection of 13 colonies on the eastern seaboard, grow into a vast nation stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean? The story of America’s expansion is a complex and multifaceted one, involving a combination of exploration, colonization, conflict, diplomacy, and the displacement of Indigenous peoples. Here’s a detailed look at how America grew so big.

1. Colonial Beginnings: The Thirteen Original Colonies

The foundation of the United States began with the establishment of the Thirteen Colonies along the eastern coast of North America. These colonies were originally founded by British settlers in the early 17th century, with the first successful settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Over the next century, these colonies grew in population and economic power, but they were confined to a relatively small area along the coast.

Expansion Motives:

• Economic Opportunities: The colonies offered vast resources, including fertile land, timber, and fur, which attracted settlers seeking new economic opportunities.
• Religious Freedom: Many settlers, such as the Pilgrims and Puritans, came to the colonies to escape religious persecution in Europe.
• Territorial Claims: The British Crown was motivated to expand its territories and increase its influence in the New World, leading to the establishment of more colonies.

2. The Louisiana Purchase: Doubling the Size of the Nation

One of the most significant events in the expansion of the United States was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the purchase of approximately 828,000 square miles of land from France, effectively doubling the size of the nation. The territory extended from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border.

Key Factors:

• Strategic Importance: Control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans was crucial for trade and transportation.
• Napoleon’s Motivation: France, under Napoleon Bonaparte, needed funds for its wars in Europe and was willing to sell the territory for $15 million, a bargain for the young United States.
• Expansionist Vision: Jefferson and many other Americans believed in the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent.

3. Westward Expansion: Manifest Destiny and the Frontier

The concept of Manifest Destiny played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century. This belief held that it was the divine right and destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This ideology fueled the migration of settlers westward, driven by the promise of land, wealth, and new opportunities.

Key Events:

• The Oregon Trail: Thousands of settlers traveled westward along the Oregon Trail in the 1840s, seeking fertile land in the Oregon Territory.
• The California Gold Rush: The discovery of gold in California in 1848 prompted a massive influx of settlers, further expanding the nation’s reach to the west coast.
• The Homestead Act of 1862: This act provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging further migration and settlement in the western territories.

4. Annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War

The annexation of Texas and the subsequent Mexican-American War were critical events in the territorial expansion of the United States. Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836 and became an independent republic. In 1845, Texas was annexed by the United States, leading to tensions with Mexico, which still considered Texas its territory.

Key Outcomes:

• Mexican-American War (1846-1848): The war resulted in a decisive victory for the United States, leading to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
• Mexican Cession: Under the treaty, Mexico ceded a vast amount of land to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Texas.
• Gadsden Purchase (1853): The U.S. further expanded its territory by purchasing a small strip of land from Mexico, which facilitated the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad.

5. Alaska Purchase: Expanding Northward

In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a move that was initially ridiculed as “Seward’s Folly” after Secretary of State William Seward, who negotiated the deal. However, the acquisition of Alaska added a vast and resource-rich territory to the United States.

Significance:

• Natural Resources: Alaska was later found to be rich in natural resources, including gold, oil, and fish, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy.
• Strategic Location: Alaska’s location was of strategic importance, particularly during the Cold War, as it provided a buffer between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

6. Native American Displacement: The Dark Side of Expansion

The expansion of the United States came at a significant cost to the Indigenous peoples who had lived on the land for thousands of years. As settlers moved westward, Native American tribes were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands through a series of treaties, wars, and government policies.

Key Policies:

• Indian Removal Act (1830): This act led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their homelands in the southeastern United States to areas west of the Mississippi River, a journey known as the Trail of Tears.
• Reservation System: As settlers encroached on Native American lands, the U.S. government established reservations, often on less desirable land, where tribes were confined.
• Wounded Knee Massacre (1890): The conflict between the U.S. government and Native American tribes culminated in tragic events like the Wounded Knee Massacre, which symbolized the end of Native American resistance to U.S. expansion.

7. The Role of Railroads: Connecting the Continent

The construction of the transcontinental railroad in the mid-19th century was a pivotal moment in the expansion of the United States. The railroad connected the eastern states with the western territories, making it easier for settlers to move westward and for goods to be transported across the country.

Impact:

• Economic Growth: The railroad facilitated trade and commerce, helping to integrate the national economy and spur growth in new regions.
• Population Movement: The ease of travel encouraged more settlers to move west, leading to the rapid development of towns and cities along the rail lines.
• Environmental Impact: The construction of the railroad and the subsequent settlement of the west had significant environmental consequences, including the depletion of bison herds and the disruption of Native American ways of life.

8. The Role of Diplomacy: Territorial Acquisitions

Not all of America’s expansion was achieved through war or conflict. Diplomacy played a crucial role in acquiring new territories peacefully.

Key Examples:

• The Oregon Treaty (1846): The U.S. and Britain peacefully resolved the boundary dispute in the Pacific Northwest, with the U.S. gaining control of present-day Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
• The Purchase of Florida (1819): The U.S. acquired Florida from Spain through the Adams-Onís Treaty, which also settled boundary disputes between the U.S. and Spanish territories in the West.
• Hawaii Annexation (1898): The U.S. annexed Hawaii, which had been an independent kingdom, after American settlers overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy. This added a key strategic location in the Pacific to U.S. territories.

Conclusion

The expansion of the United States into the vast territory it occupies today is the result of a complex interplay of exploration, diplomacy, war, and displacement. From the original Thirteen Colonies to the acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii, America’s growth was driven by a combination of economic interests, strategic considerations, and a deeply ingrained belief in Manifest Destiny. However, this expansion also came at a significant human cost, particularly for Native American populations, whose lands were taken, and ways of life were disrupted.

Understanding the history of America’s expansion provides insight into the nation’s development and the forces that shaped its current geopolitical landscape. As the U.S. continues to evolve, the legacy of its expansion—both its achievements and its darker chapters—remains a critical part of the American story.