A Map to Understand U.S. Expansion
Directions: 1) Read one section at a time. 2) After reading each section, find the correct location on
the blank map and draw in a border. You will need to look at specific textbook pages to do this.
3) Label the territory appropriately and include a date. 4) Color the territory neatly (use different
colors for each territory). 5) Write a 1-2 sentence summary about the territory and how the U.S.
acquired it. Write your summary on a colored piece of paper and attach your summary to the border
of the map.
A. Draw a border around the area where the original 13 British colonies were. Colonists settled in this
territory for a variety of reasons. Many colonists wanted to improve their lot in life by moving to the
colonies where they could find jobs or become rich fast. Other colonists wanted to practice their
religions freely after being persecuted in their home countries. Life in Jamestown and Plymouth was
extremely difficult, but as the decades passed and the colonists learned how to survive in this harsh
climate, they began to flourish. (1607-1732) Pg. 22, Pg. 25
B. Draw a border around the territory the Americans acquired from the British after the Revolutionary
War. The Revolutionary War lasted for eight years. The colonists were able to win their independence
because of their determination, knowledge of the land, unconventional fighting tactics and help from
foreign allies. These new independent states joined in a union called the United States of America.
(1783) Pg. 54
C. Draw a border around the Louisiana Territory. The French originally claimed The Louisiana Territory.
The U.S. became interested in this territory because American farmers depended upon the Mississippi
river and the port of New Orleans to transport their goods. The French, who needed money to fight their
war against the British, eventually agreed to sell this territory to the U.S. Although some Americans were
against the purchase and many believed that the purchase was unconstitutional, President Jefferson
decided he could not pass up the opportunity to buy the land and did so in 1803. Pg. 54
D. Draw a border around the Red River Basin area. Britain claimed the Red River Basin area but gave it to
the U.S. at the Anglo-American Convention of 1818. Look at Ms. Hull’s map
E. Draw a border around the territory that was acquired in the Florida Treaty. The Florida Territory was
originally claimed by Spain. Andrew Jackson led troops into this territory, attacked the Spanish forts, and
overthrew the Spanish governor. Only after the Spanish had been defeated did they agree to give the
land to the U.S. in 1819. Pg. 93
F. Draw a border around the Texas Territory. The Texas territory was first claimed by Spain. When
Mexico declared independence the territory came into Mexican hands. Americans became interested in
this territory because the land was perfect for growing cotton. The Mexican government allowed
Americans to settle on their land in exchange for Americans’ promises to respect Mexican culture and
become Mexican citizens. The Americans did not honor these promises. This caused a conflict between
the Americans and the Mexican government. The Americans forced Santa Anna and his 6,000 troops to
leave the territory, and then turned to the U.S. for protection. The U.S. annexed this territory in 1836.
Pg. 94
G. Draw a border around the Oregon Territory. Britain and the U.S. both claimed the Oregon Territory.
The 2 countries agreed to split the land at the 49th parallel in 1846. Pg. 93
H. Draw a border around the Mexican Cession. The territory, which became known as the Mexican
Cession, was originally claimed by Spain and then Mexico. The land-hungry U.S. President Polk took
advantage of a border dispute in Texas in order to start the Mexican-American war with the aim of
taking Mexican lands. The U.S. won this territory as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, which
ended the Mexican-American War in 1848. This territory eventually became present day California,
Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. Pg. 111
I. Draw a border around the Gadsden Purchase. U.S. ambassador to Mexico James Gadsden helped the
U.S. purchase the Gadsden area from Mexico in 1853. This area is in present day New Mexico and
Arizona. This was the last major territorial acquisition in the contiguous United States. Look at Ms. Hull’s
map