By Admin 
America’s history of land acquisition is very old and surrounded by controversies. In the last 200 years, on an average, America has captured a large area every 30 years, which includes the occupation of 8 major countries from 1803 to 1959.
Dangerous history of land grabbing
America has included 8 areas in its territory since 1803. If an average is taken, one area came under control every 30 years. This is described as a ‘dangerous history of land grabbing’. In recent times, former President Donald Trump talked about buying or occupying Greenland several times, due to which this discussion intensified again.
Which areas did America acquire?
- Louisiana Purchase in 1803: America had bought about 530 million acres of land from France for 15 million dollars (about 430 million dollars in today’s time). Napoleon had to sell because of the defeat in the Caribbean and the threat from Britain. Due to this the size of America has doubled.
- Florida taken from Spain in 1819: America had taken from Spain, what Britain had earlier given to Spain. Protests began in 1810. US President James Madison called it part of Louisiana. In 1818, General Andrew Jackson captured Spanish ports. Under military pressure, Spain handed over Florida under the Onis-Adams Treaty.
- Capture of Texas in 1845: Texas became independent by separating from Mexico in 1836. The people there voted to join America. No formal treaty was signed, but the US Congress passed a joint resolution admitting Texas.
- Spain gave up claim to Oregon in 1846: There was a dispute between Spain, Britain, Russia and America. Spain gave up its claim in 1819. America challenged Russia’s trade monopoly. The Oregon Treaty fixed the border with Britain and the area went to America.
- Gadsden purchased in 1854: Bought 29,670 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million. Today it is part of Arizona and New Mexico. America is using it for the Southern Railway Route.
- Alaska Purchase in 1867: Bought from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. Russia had to sell due to low population, economic problems and defeat in the Crimean War. The deal was initially ridiculed around the world, but the discovery of gold and its strategic importance in World War II paid off. Alaska became a state in 1959.
- Bought the US Virgin Islands in 1917: America bought it from Denmark for 25 million dollars. This deal was made for security in the Caribbean and to protect the Panama Canal from Germany during World War 1.
- Controlled Hawaii in 1959: In 1893, American supporters and Marines deposed Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii and abolished the monarchy. In 1898, Congress passed the merger proposal. Hawaii was made the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
These are 8 major events, which span from 1803 to 1959. On average, a major expansion occurred every 30 years. America did this through purchase, military pressure, treaty or merger. This is part of American history, but in many cases there is mention of pressure from local people or other countries.