Question
The United States government bought land at other times in the 1800s and 1900s. The table below shows some of these land purchases. Look at the table. Then follow the instructions below.Name of territory Purchased from Year Price Size (in square miles)Louisiana France 1803 $15 million 828,000Gadsden Purchase (parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico) Mexico 1853 $10 million 30,000Alaska Russia 1867 $7.2 million 586,000Virgin Islands Denmark 1917 $25 million 133Use the information above to complete the text.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The table summarizes several significant land purchases made by the United States during the 1800s and early 1900s. These acquisitions expanded the territory of the nation and played crucial roles in its development.
1. **Louisiana Purchase**: The United States acquired this vast area from France in 1803 for $15 million, which amounted to about 828,000 square miles. This purchase significantly doubled the size of the nation and opened the door for westward expansion.
2. **Gadsden Purchase**: In 1853, the U.S. purchased parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico for $10 million. This territory covered approximately 30,000 square miles and was mainly acquired to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad route.
3. **Alaska Purchase**: The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, which translates to about 586,000 square miles. Initially, this acquisition was referred to as "Seward's Folly," after Secretary of State William H. Seward, but it later proved to be a valuable purchase due to its natural resources.
4. **Virgin Islands Purchase**: The United States bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. This territory consists of 133 square miles and was strategically important during World War I.
These land transactions not only shaped the geography of the United States but also had lasting impacts on its economy and international relations.
1. **Louisiana Purchase**: The United States acquired this vast area from France in 1803 for $15 million, which amounted to about 828,000 square miles. This purchase significantly doubled the size of the nation and opened the door for westward expansion.
2. **Gadsden Purchase**: In 1853, the U.S. purchased parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico for $10 million. This territory covered approximately 30,000 square miles and was mainly acquired to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad route.
3. **Alaska Purchase**: The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, which translates to about 586,000 square miles. Initially, this acquisition was referred to as "Seward's Folly," after Secretary of State William H. Seward, but it later proved to be a valuable purchase due to its natural resources.
4. **Virgin Islands Purchase**: The United States bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. This territory consists of 133 square miles and was strategically important during World War I.
These land transactions not only shaped the geography of the United States but also had lasting impacts on its economy and international relations.