A map from 1894 of the United States showing the territorial growth from the original States and the Northwest Territory in 1783 to the Russian cession of Alaska in 1867. The map is color-coded to show the progression from the original...

A map from 1911 of the United States showing the territorial acquisitions from the original States and Northwest Territory in 1783 to the Gadsden Purchase south of the Gila River in 1853. The map shows state capitals and major cities,...

A map from 1859 of the United States showing State and territory boundaries at the time, capitals and major cities, mountain systems, plains, lakes, rivers, and coastal features of the area.

A map of the United States in 1850, showing the frontier line, indicate by the thick black line. The map shows the States added to the Union between 1840 and 1850, including Florida (1845), Texas (1845), Iowa (1846), Wisconsin (1848),...

A map from 1914 of the United States showing its acquisition of territory from the original states and Northwest Territory after the American Revolutionary War in 1783 to the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. The dates for each acquisition are...

A map from 1907 of the United States showing the growth of the nation from 1776-1853. This map is coded to show the thirteen original states, and the territories acquired in 1783, by the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the northern...

A map of the United States showing the territorial growth from 1783 to 1790. The map is color-coded to show the original territory after the American Revolutionary War, the Northwest Territory north of the Ohio River in 1787, the...

A map of the United States showing its acquisition of territory from the original states and Northwest Territory after the American Revolutionary War in 1783 to the Gadsden Purchase in 1853.

A map of the early United States showing the expansion of settlements by 1790. The map is shading-coded to show the area of settlement before 1760, and between 1760 and 1790, including the areas west of the Alleghany Mountains in the...

A map from 1912 of the United States, subtitled "Distribution of Population and Railways in 1900" showing the increase in population and expansion of the railroad network since 1850. The map is color-coded to show population densities...

A map of the United States in 1840, showing the frontier line, indicate by the thick black line.

A map from 1909 showing territories added to the United States: Alaska (1867), Hawaii by annexation (1898), and Puerto Rico and the Philippines after the Spanish-American War (1898).

A map from 1922 of the United States showing the acquisition of territory from 1783 to the purchase of the Dutch West Indies (Virgin Islands) in 1917. This map is color-coded to show each of the acquisitions with map notations giving...

A base map showing the extent of the United States after the purchase of the Louisiana territory from France in 1803.

A base map showing the extent of the United States prior to the purchase of the Louisiana from France in 1803.

Lesson plan assesses historical thinking skills by providing two primary sources on Thomas Jefferson's views on the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase.

This wonderful unit from Annenberg Media examines Reconstruction through three themes: reintegrating the former Confederate states in to the Union; the freedom of blacks and what that entailed socially and economically; and the economic...

A 10-minute movie showing the expansion of the United States after the end of the Revolutionary War. Follow the directions to start the movie and listen to the explanations.

This site provides a glimpse into the United States in the year 1846. James Polk was president and the Westward Expansion was in full force. The site has nice historical photographs.

This resource, a speech by Woodrow Wilson to Congress on April 8, 1913, gives a great review of how the United States transformed from from a rural country to an urban one. It includes a review of industrialization, new inventions,...

The ninth President of the United States was a General during the War of 1812. He lead forces at the Battle of Tippecanoe, and in 1813 reversed the losses of General William Hull. As Governor of Indiana Territory he acquired a large...

The gold rush in California accelerated the western migration of thousands of young American men, who streamed into California to find riches. See who else arrived in California and find out what they did. In addition, there is a map...

Primary source information about traveling the Overland Trails, both to Oregon Country and California.

See a map of the land acquired by the United States as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, called the Mexican Cession. From Annenberg Media.