The United States, this vast land, its borders have not always been like this. Through a series of land purchases, the country expanded from a colony of thirteen states to the present fifty states. Trump once proposed the idea of buying Greenland territory from Denmark, and although it ultimately failed, this is not the first time that the United States has tried to expand its territory through purchases. In fact, there have been many major land purchases in the history of the United States that have not only changed the map of the United States, but also shaped the United States to some extent today.
Hello everyone, I'm Mr. Tang. The United States acquires land in a variety of ways, one of which is through land deals with other countries and large powers. These deals often involve huge economic interests and political considerations. Here are five of the largest and most influential land purchases in U.S. history, each representing a pivotal period in U.S. expansion and demonstrating U.S. power and influence on the international stage. Let's take a look with Mr. Tang today.
1. Louisiana Purchase.
Year: 1803.
Purchased from: France.
Cost: $15 million.
Area: 827,987 sq mi.
In 1803, a major event in American history took place, and that was the purchase of land in Louisiana. It was a massive and far-reaching land transaction, with the United States buying 827,987 square miles of land from France. Behind this land purchase lies the political situation on the European continent and Napoleon's ingenious strategy.
At the time, Napoleon was under the pressure of war with Britain and its allies, finances were tight, and funds were urgently needed to sustain his vast empire. New France in North America, on the other hand, was a vast territory but difficult to defend and an easy target for British aggression from Canada or the United States. Therefore, Napoleon decided to adopt a strategy that killed two birds with one stone: this difficult territory to defend, both to obtain much-needed funds and to get rid of the burden of defense.
The negotiation process between the United States and France is fraught with variables. At first, Thomas Jefferson** only wanted to buy the city of New Orleans and its environs in order to expand the U.S. sphere of influence in the South. However, as the negotiations progressed, he realized that this was a rare opportunity to double the size of the United States in one fell swoop. So, he decided to take it a go and eventually managed to buy the entire Louisiana area.
On April 30, 1803, the United States and France formally signed a land purchase treaty. This event had a profound impact on American history. It not only doubled the territorial area of the United States, but also extended the borders of the United States far to the west, laying a solid foundation for the later development and expansion of the western United States. The Louisiana land purchase was not only a land transaction, but also a political and strategic victory, laying the foundation for the United States to emerge as a world power.
2. Alaska land purchase.
Year: 1867.
Purchased from: Russian Empire.
Cost: $7.2 million.
Area: 591,000 square miles.
After many years of trials and setbacks, the Russian Empire finally made the difficult decision to cede its territory in North America. In the torrent of history, the political situation has gradually become cloudy. The rulers of St. Petersburg were well aware that the vast region of Alaska, the vast land at the end of the world, was increasingly surrounded by greedy powers. Britain, the United States, and Mexico have stretched out their greedy tentacles to carve up spheres of influence in this rich land, while Russia has been unable to do so.
After years of furding**, exploration, and exploitation of indigenous peoples, the Russians have left a heavy footprint in this far-flung land. However, as time went on, they came to realize that they didn't have the strength to gain a foothold in this competitive land. Thus, a decisive moment came - Russia decided to give up this land and give it ** to a more powerful country.
The United States, on the other hand, seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They were able to buy this vast expanse of land for a very low ** - only two cents per acre. This land brought great territorial expansion to the United States and became an important cornerstone of its national development. Today, Alaska is the northernmost and largest state in the United States, with abundant natural resources and unique geographical landscapes.
Alaska's **, oil and timber resources have attracted countless investors and developers to explore. Home to the tallest mountain in North America, the land is a popular destination for explorers and visitors alike for its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity. During the Cold War, Alaska became the focus of global attention, and its strategic position cannot be ignored.
Looking back, we can't help but feel emotional. It was the purchase of this territory by the United States in 1867 for a very low ** that allowed Alaska to shine so brightly. This history not only witnessed the rise and fall of the Russian Empire, but also the rise and expansion of American national power. And Alaska, as a witness to this history, will continue to write its own legend.
III. Adams-Onis Treaty.
Year: 1819.
Purchased from: Kingdom of Spain.
Cost: $5 million.
Area: 72,101 square miles.
During that tumultuous period of 1819, Spain's dominance was seriously challenged in North America. On the one hand, it is desperate to maintain control of that vast territory, and on the other hand, the growing rebel movements in North and South America are causing increasing tensions. More and more people began to break free from the shackles of Spanish rule and pursue freedom and independence, which gradually left some of the territories that originally belonged to Spain in the corner.
Florida is one such neglected territory. At that time, it was little more than a remote existence for both the United States and Spain. Spain was overwhelmed by the need to maintain its garrison and supplies on the land. Rather than lose it in the rapidly spreading independence movement, it would be perhaps wiser to give it to the United States.
Thus, at that critical moment, the Adams-Onis Treaty came into being. Not only did it point the course for Florida's future, but it also redefined the disputed borders between New Spain and countries such as the United States. Today, Florida is a vibrant state in the United States, with tourism, industry, and a large population that contribute to the prosperity and diversity of the United States.
Looking back, without the Adams-Onis Pact, Florida's fate as an important region for the United States could have been in jeopardy. It was this treaty that brought new hope and opportunity to Florida from a forgotten corner to prosperity and glory.
Fourth, Gardson purchased land.
Year: 1854.
Purchased from: Mexico.
Cost: $10 million.
Area: 29,670 square miles.
Once the dust settles on the Mexico-U.S. war, tensions between the U.S. and Mexico have not dissipated. On the contrary, controversy and friction over the newly established borders persist. Both sides are well aware that the fighting that has just ended has strained relations to the extreme, and that any further conflict could lead to unforeseen consequences. Therefore, the two countries wisely chose to resolve their differences by peaceful means, that is, to agree to land to demarcate the border.
Mexico**, under Santa Ana's leadership, is facing a shortage of funds and declining stability. The wounds of the war have not yet healed, and the country's economic situation is precarious. Santa Ana is well aware that if the United States uses the border dispute to provoke another conflict, Mexico is likely to repeat the mistake of the past and lose more territory. In order to avoid such a fate, Santa Ana decisively decided on the disputed land.
The deal brought millions of much-needed dollars to Mexico** and provided valuable financial support for the country's reconstruction and stability. For the United States, the Gardson land purchase marked the beginning of its large-scale acquisition of land from Mexico in the mid-19th century, which also constituted the modern border between the two countries. This historical event not only changed the fate of the two countries, but also had a profound impact on future generations.
5. Treaty of Paris (1898).
Year: 1898.
Purchased from: Kingdom of Spain.
Cost: $20 million.
Area: 115,800 square miles.
The Spanish-American war was undoubtedly a historic defeat for Spain. In this conflict, due to the destruction of American ships in Cuba and other suspicious events, the already wavering Spanish Empire was even more vulnerable to the powerful powers of North America. As a result, Spain had to painfully cede its last precious territories around the globe. The United States, on the other hand, won the war, easily won places such as **, Puerto Rico and Cuba.
In the deal, Spain sold the Philippines for $20 million, adding more than 100,000 square miles of overseas territory to the U.S. empire's burgeoning empire. This not only enabled the United States to realize its dream of becoming a global colonial power on a par with the European empires of the Old World, but also enabled the United States to gain important strategic and political benefits from these territories in the 20th century.
* and the Philippines became a frontline in World War II, and Puerto Rico wanted to become a state in the United States. The military bases established in these places also became the focus of various disputes and conflicts during the Cold War. These new territories, acquired through wars and trades, totaling more than 1.6 million square miles and costing tens of millions of dollars, were even larger than today's India.
However, despite the fact that the United States acquired vast amounts of land through war and subterfuge, in many cases they also achieved their goals through clever political maneuvering and simple monetary transactions. This undoubtedly shows the United States' cleverness in handling international affairs and also lays a solid foundation for its future global hegemony.
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