Capital and Expansion

How the United States Grew

By Catherine McHenry

How the United States Grew

In the early years of the United States, leaders had to make important decisions about the future of the country. Two major decisions helped the nation grow and stay united. One decision involved moving the nation’s capital. The other decision involved buying a huge amount of land called the Louisiana Purchase.

What Is a Capital City?

A capital city is the center of a country’s government. It is where the President works and where Congress meets to make laws. Important national decisions are made there that affect all citizens. The capital represents the entire country, not just one state or region.

The First Capital

After the American Revolution, the nation’s capital was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia was one of the largest and most important cities at that time. However, as the country grew, some leaders felt the capital’s location was not fair to everyone. This disagreement led to a major debate between different regions of the country.

Multiple Choice

Where was the original capital of the US?

• Boston, Massachusetts
• New York City, New York
• Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Multiple Choice

Where is the capital of the US today?

• Washington, D.C.
• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• New York City

Disagreements Between North and South

In the 1790s, Northern and Southern states disagreed about money, power, and representation. Southern leaders wanted the capital moved farther south so it would be closer to them. Northern leaders wanted it to remain in the North. These disagreements threatened the unity of the young nation.

The Compromise of 1790

In 1790, leaders reached a compromise to solve the disagreement. A compromise is an agreement in which both sides give up something to find a solution. They decided the capital would move south and be built on land that did not belong to any state. This helped both Northern and Southern leaders feel the decision was fair.

A New Capital Is Created

The new capital was named Washington, D.C. It was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. D.C. stands for District of Columbia, and it does not belong to any state. This made the capital neutral and independent from state control.

Washington, D.C. was located between Northern and Southern states along the Potomac River. Its central location helped reduce tension between regions. It became the permanent home of the national government. Moving the capital helped keep the country united during a time of disagreement.

Multiple Choice

Who was Washington, D.C. named after?

• Benjamin Franklin
• Abraham Lincoln
• George Washington
• Thomas Jefferson

Multiple Choice

What river runs along Washington D.C that is in between the Northern and Southern States?

• Potomac River
• Ohio River
• Mississippi River
• Hudson River

1802 vs 1803

By 1802, the United States was still a young and relatively small country. Its western border stopped at the Mississippi River. The land west of the river belonged to France. Many Americans believed the nation needed more land to grow and support farmers and trade.

In 1803, the United States made a historic decision to buy land from France. This land purchase is known as the Louisiana Purchase. President Thomas Jefferson agreed to pay $15 million for the territory. This decision dramatically changed the size and future of the country.

Multiple Choice

Which President purchased the Louisiana Territory for $15 million?

• James Madison
• Thomas Jefferson
• Abraham Lincoln
• George Washington

The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase added 828,000 square miles of land to the United States. The nation’s size instantly doubled. The new territory stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. This gave Americans vast new opportunities for farming, trade, and settlement.

The Louisiana Purchase gave the United States control of the important Mississippi River. This improved trade and transportation. It also provided rich farmland and valuable natural resources. The country became stronger and more powerful because of this expansion.

Multiple Choice

With the purchase of Louisiana Territory, what river gave us improved trading and transportation?

• Mississippi River
• Ohio River
• Missouri River
• Arkansas River

New Challenges in the West

Although the purchase created opportunity, it also created challenges. Much of the new land was unmapped by U.S. leaders. Many Native American tribes already lived on this land. The government needed accurate information about rivers, mountains, and travel routes.

To learn more about the new territory, President Jefferson sent an expedition in 1804. He chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead the journey. They were joined and assisted by Sacagawea, who served as a guide and interpreter. Their journey would help Americans understand the West.

Multiple Choice

Which explores were sent out to map the Louisiana territory?

• The Wright Brothers

• Luigi and Charles Exploration Crew

• Lewis and Clark with help from Sacagawea

• The Columbus Duo

Why Explore and connecting it all

The expedition’s goal was to explore and map the newly purchased land. They studied plants, animals, rivers, and mountains. They also built relationships with Native American tribes along the way. Their journey helped Americans better understand the West.

Moving the capital helped unite the country politically. The Louisiana Purchase helped the country expand geographically. Together, these decisions strengthened the United States. They shaped the future of the nation and influenced westward expansion.