The conquest of the territory

U. S. Expansionism: General Aspects

General considerations

Initially, before the creation of the United States, there were thirteen colonies opposed to Great Britain, but which had little in common. These colonies have different histories until they get together. Initially their cement was opposition to the metropolis, common points, common history and common identity was forged in opposition to Britain's and in the conquest of the rest of the territory.

As soon as the war of independence ends, the territory of the Thirteen colonies will expand. In 1783 the United States was created. In 1787 a federal state was created. It is a fundamental moment, the Thirteen States decide to unite to create a supranational power.

In other words, in American history we have first of all the territorial entities, the federal structures intervene in a second phase.

Why is a federal state created?

• to unite against the English and the Indians.
• avoid being caught up in the European rivalries of France, Great Britain and Spain: the European powers all have colonies and trading posts in what is now the United States. Once the Thirteen independent colonies have become independent, they give themselves an original structure that allows them to distinguish themselves from Europe and not reproduce the conflicts that take place on European territory. The creation of the federal state is an element of differentiation in this regard.
• create the conditions for expansion with strong power and an army. The federal state will make it possible to create an army that will be financed by the various states by creating the conditions for territorial expansion.

The creation of the federal state is linked to the conquest of the territory.

The political genius coup of the founding fathers

It is a coup of political genius because the founding fathers of the American Republic quickly came up with the idea of integrating the conquered territories into the United States. As the United States moves westward, instead of creating colonies, the territories are integrated into the United States.

Integration of conquered regions into the United States

This is a difference from European expansionism as American expansionism integrates these new territories within the federal state. It is a new form of expansionism that differs from European colonialism. Thus, the integration of the new territories strengthens the power of the United States.

The idea of empire has been present since the creation of the federal state (Washington:"the formation of an empire"). Since the creation of the federal state, there is the idea that the United States must expand, for Jefferson it is "the empire of freedom", it is a way of thinking about American politics. The idea that the United States is a perfect political synthesis and wants to build an empire of freedom is a common thread and poses many problems.

It's a rapid expansion:

• Surface area: 1787 - 2.5 million km2 / 1865 - 8 million km2: the surface area is tripled in 80 years.
• Population: 1787 - 4 million inhabitants / 1865 - 31 million / 1900 - 100 million.
• 1867: Alaska became the 49th state in 1958.
• 1890: Unification of the country with the reunification of Wyoming and Idaho. The period of internal conquest is officially closed from that moment onwards.
• 1898: Hawaii becomes the 50th state in 1959.

Expansion of the United States (the Conquest of the West) - atlas-historique.net

Exploring the Country: A Military Affair

Military Dimension

Le trajet de l'expédition.

The exploration of the country is largely a military affair, the question of conquest is conceived as a military affair where the army plays a fundamental role, it will set up reconnaissance missions and expeditions in order to recognize and identify this territory.

As early as 1804, there was a first official exploration of the Pacific to see that it was the potential interest of these territories for conquest.

Economic Dimension

There is also an economic dimension. In 1838 the Army's Topographic Service was created to systematically map the entire American territory. Maps are used for warfare, but also for mapping natural resources. All the territories crossed are listed.

The fairly quick conclusion is that this is a huge territory and extremely rich in natural resources of all kinds. From 1842 onwards a systematic exploration of the West by the army was launched, followed by the expulsion of the Indians.

Thus, the exploration of the country combines military and economic aspects.

This conquest of the United States was going to be an important factor in the construction of a national identity, and it was during the conquest that the Americans became American. This conquering dimension, first of all, from the military point of view, is to be found in the depths of national identity. Thus, conquest is a factor in the construction of a national identity.

The confrontation with the great powers

The great powers of the time were France, Great Britain and Spain.

France

After the creation of the United States, the first major stage of expansion territory was made in 1803 with the purchase of Louisiana at the expense of France.

The United States decided to support the rebellion in Haiti, Napoleon does not want to leave behind him a very poorly controlled empire. He realizes that he does not have the means to keep it notably with the rise of American expansionism, that is why he sells it.

Great Britain

Great Britain is the hereditary enemy of the United States since the founding of the United States was made against the metropolis.

In 1812 there was a war in 1812 with the motivation of conquering Canada, which at this time was English territory. The conquest of Canada is a failure, particularly due to the English maritime power. Thus, there will be a modus vivendi between American ambitions for Canada and the English willing to protect its colony. In 1818 an agreement was reached in order to define the delimitation of the border at the 49th parallel.

The United States continued its policy of nibbling territories poorly controlled by Canada until 1846, when it obtained Oregon and Washington.

At the end of the Civil War in 1865, some attempt of annexing Canada were made but without success. Then relations between the two countries will normalize.