The United States: a territorial history

The United States: a territorial history

The 1803 Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the young American republic, just 20 years after it won independence from Great Britain.
Native American territory decreased as colonists moved westward.
In the middle of the century, the concept of Manifest Destiny provided justification for further territorial expansion, and encouraged pioneers to “spread civilization” across the entire continent.
However, the slavery issue divided the nation.

The United-States : a territorial history - History of the United States - Treaty of Paris in 1763 - Treaty of Paris in 1783 - War of Independence - Declaration of Independence - the 13 colonies - Lewis and Clark expedition Admission of New States and the Slavery Issue - The Indian Removal Programme - Manifest Destiny - Immigration and the ‘Melting Pot’ - Reconstruction and the End of the “Frontier”

England looks to the West (Second half of the 16th century)

England looks to the West (Second half of the 16th century)

Complete video


In the second half of the 16th century, England resolutely turned its attention to the West. It concentrated on the colonization of Ireland and launched several initiatives in North America.The first of these initiatives involved 6 maritime expeditions in search of the North-West Passage, which would make it possible to sail around the American continent to the North and facilitate trade with China’s wealth.


Virginia, the cradle of the United States

Virginia, the cradle of the United States

Video extract


During the 17th century, the English claimed the whole central area of the North American coast and named it ‘Virginia’. In 1606, King James I issued a Colonization Charter for two limited liability companies: the London Company and the Plymouth Company.


Foundation of the 13 American colonies

Foundation of the 13 American colonies

Video extract


In the decades that followed the establishment of the colony of Virginia, England sent settlers to sites all along the American coast between New France, to the North, and Spanish-controlled Florida, to the South. The first settlers were mostly people who left Europe because of religious discrimination.


Birth of the United States

Birth of the United States

Video extract


Following the first Treaty of Paris signed in 1763, the entire territory between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi came under British rule. With the second Treaty of Paris in 1783, the United Kingdom recognized the 13 colonies as ‘free and sovereign states’ and handed over all its territories east of the Mississippi.


The War of Independence

The War of Independence

Video extract


The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, thus breaking all ties between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. The first conflicts involving British troops and American militiamen had taken place a year earlier in the Boston area.


Westward Expansion (1790-1861)

Westward Expansion (1790-1861)

Complete video


Considering its desire for new territories to conquer and its need to defend its territory against attacks from other countries, the new American state quickly sought to extend its borders.


Westward Expansion (1790-1861)

Westward Expansion (1790-1861)

School version

Video extract


Considering its desire for new territories to conquer and its need to defend its territory against attacks from other countries, the new American state quickly sought to extend its borders.


Admission of New States and the Slavery Issue

Admission of New States and the Slavery Issue

Video extract


Two Ordinances signed in 1787 and 1789 established rules covering the admission of new States to the Union.


Admission of New States and the Slavery Issue

Admission of New States and the Slavery Issue

School version

Video extract


Two Ordinances signed in 1787 and 1789 established rules covering the admission of new States to the Union.


The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

Video extract


Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Jefferson sent Lewis, his personal secretary, and Captain Clark on a scientific, political and commercial mission of exploration westwards to the Pacific Ocean.


The Northern Frontier and the Oregon Territory

The Northern Frontier and the Oregon Territory

Video extract


Oregon’s rich natural resources, and in particular the opportunities it offered for the fur trade created lively competition between Canadians from the Hudson Bay Company and American settlers over control of the territory.


The Northern Frontier and the Oregon Territory

The Northern Frontier and the Oregon Territory

School version

Video extract


Oregon’s rich natural resources, and in particular the opportunities it offered for the fur trade created lively competition between Canadians from the Hudson Bay Company and American settlers over control of the territory.


The Westward Trails

The Westward Trails

Video extract


To fulfill the concept of Manifest Destiny, which encouraged the expansion of US territory to the Pacific Ocean, several transcontinental trails enabled settlers to move westward from the Missouri.


The Indian Removal Programme

The Indian Removal Programme

Video extract


Pressure from settlers gradually reduced the territories where the Native Americans lived. In 1830, the Indian Removal Act authorized the removal of native tribes to reservations West of the Mississippi River.


Texan Independence

Texan Independence

Video extract


Following independence, Mexico opened up a part of its territory to settlers. American and European pioneers moved to Texas and set up ranches where they grew cotton and raised cattle.


Reconstruction and the End of the “Frontier”

Reconstruction and the End of the “Frontier”

Video extract


The Union’s victory over the Confederates brought an end to four years of Civil War, but resulted a period of intense controversy on how to re-establish the unity of the nation.


The Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad

Video extract


Following strong controversy over where the railroad should be built, the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 awarded contracts for a first track between Omaha and Sacramento to two railroad companies: the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific.


Immigration and the ‘Melting Pot’

Immigration and the ‘Melting Pot’

Video extract


During the first half of the 19th century, a growing number of immigrants in search of liberty and a better economic future arrived in the United States, mainly from Northern Europe.


The Plains Indians

The Plains Indians

Video extract


Native American tribes roamed the Great Plains of the Midwest in the wake of migrating herds of bison, which were their main source of wealth.


The Lure of Imperialism

The Lure of Imperialism

Video extract


Once the Civil War was over and the nation was reunited, the desire for conquest re-emerged and the United States began to look beyond its frontiers for new opportunities.