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Questions and Answers
What was the main purpose of the Gadsden Purchase in 1853?
Which of the following territories did Mexico cede to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
What significant event marked the conclusion of the war between the United States and Mexico?
Which president oversaw the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867?
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What drove Russia to offer Alaska for sale to the United States in 1859?
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How did the Gadsden Purchase contribute to the growth of the United States' economy?
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What was the role of the 49th Parallel in the Oregon Territory dispute between the United States and Britain?
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How did James K. Polk impact the map of North America during his presidency?
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What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War for the United States?
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How did Texas's independence aspirations affect its relationship with Mexico?
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Which event directly resulted from the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845?
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What was James K. Polk's main motivation behind acquiring Texas and expanding U.S. territory?
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Study Notes
U.S. Acquisition of the Oregon Territory
- The U.S. and Britain argued over ownership of the Oregon Territory in the 1800s.
- The 49th Parallel was agreed upon as the borderline to avoid conflicts.
- President James K. Polk expanded the U.S. by annexing Texas and settling the border issue with Britain through the Oregon Treaty in 1846.
U.S. Acquisition of the Mexican Territory
- James K. Polk's vision for expanding the U.S. led to negotiations with Mexico over territory north of the Rio Grande River.
- The independence aspirations of Texas, which had won its freedom from Mexico in 1836, intertwined with the desire for expansion.
- The U.S. annexed Texas as a state in 1845, leading to heightened hostilities with Mexico and eventually sparking the Mexican-American War in 1846.
- The U.S. emerged victorious in the war, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) resulted in Mexico ceding vast territories to the U.S.
- The U.S. paid Mexico $15 million and officially recognized Texas's annexation.
The Gadsden Purchase
- The Gadsden Purchase (1853) was driven by the need to secure land for the construction of the continental railroad.
- Negotiated by James Gadsden, the purchase aimed to acquire territories from Mexico, primarily parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico, for $10 million.
- This acquisition facilitated westward expansion and agricultural development, contributing to the growth of the nation's economy.
The Treaty of Alaska
- Russia's financial strain following the Crimean War led to the offer of Alaska for sale to the U.S. in 1859.
- President Andrew Johnson oversaw the purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million in 1867.
- Despite initial doubts, the discovery of valuable natural resources such as gold, oil, and fisheries in Alaska proved its worth, cementing its importance to the economic development of the U.S.
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Description
Explore the events surrounding the U.S. acquisition of the Oregon Territory in the 1800s, including negotiations with Britain, the role of President James K. Polk, and the resolutions with both Britain and Mexico. Learn about the Oregon Treaty of 1846 and its impact on U.S. territorial expansion.
