How America Grew: The Story of All 50 States

From Sea to Shining Sea

The United States began as 13 colonies hugging the Atlantic coast and grew to span an entire continent through a remarkable series of purchases, conquests, treaties, and annexations. In less than a century, America expanded from 865,000 square miles to over 3.8 million square miles — quadrupling in size through one of history's most dramatic territorial expansions.

The growth wasn't random — it followed the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, the belief that America was destined to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Through shrewd diplomacy (Louisiana Purchase), military conquest (Mexican-American War), and strategic purchases (Alaska), the young nation assembled the territorial foundation that would make it a global superpower.

How America Acquired Its Territory

The 50 states joined the Union through six primary methods: original colonies, territorial purchases, war and conquest, treaty negotiations, annexations, and territorial organization.

Six Ways to Build a Nation

America's expansion followed distinct patterns, each reflecting the geopolitical realities of its era. From colonial rebellion to Cold War strategy, here's how America grew.

The March to Statehood: 1787-1959

How quickly America grew from 13 to 50 states, with major spurts during westward expansion periods.

Territorial Expansion by Square Miles

The dramatic scale of American territorial growth, showing which acquisitions added the most land to the growing nation.

The Great Acquisitions: How America Bought a Continent

Between 1803 and 1867, America acquired over 2 million square miles through a series of strategic purchases and negotiations that rank among history's greatest real estate deals.

Timeline: Building America State by State

All 50 States: Complete Acquisition History

The definitive table showing exactly how, when, and through what means each of America's 50 states joined the Union. From rebellion to purchase to conquest, here's the complete story.

The Price of a Continent

America's territorial expansion represents one of history's greatest real estate investments. For approximately $57 million in 19th-century dollars (roughly $1.8 billion today), the United States acquired over 2.8 million square miles of territory — equivalent to purchasing the entire continent of Australia.

Return on Investment: The Louisiana Purchase alone generated trillions in economic value through agriculture, mining, and development. Alaska's "folly" yielded massive oil reserves and strategic military positioning. The Mexican Cession delivered California gold fields worth hundreds of billions. America's territorial investments rank among history's most profitable acquisitions.

E Pluribus Unum: From Many, One

The story of America's 50 states is the story of a nation that refused to be contained by its original borders. Through purchase and negotiation, war and diplomacy, rebellion and annexation, the United States assembled a continental empire that stretched from sea to shining sea.

Each state brought unique challenges and opportunities: Texas arrived as an independent republic, California rushed in during the Gold Rush, Alaska seemed like folly until oil was discovered, and Hawaii provided a strategic Pacific foothold. Together, these diverse territories forged a union that became the world's most powerful nation.

From Delaware's ratification in 1787 to Hawaii's admission in 1959, the march to 50 states took 172 years and forever changed the map of North America. What began as 13 colonies clinging to the Atlantic coast became a transcontinental superpower, proving that in America, expansion and democracy could grow hand in hand.

Sources & Methodology

State admission data compiled from Congressional records, territorial ordinances, treaty documents, and official state historical archives. Territorial acquisition information sourced from the Library of Congress, National Archives, U.S. Department of State treaty collections, and territorial purchase documentation. Geographic and financial data from U.S. Geological Survey and historical economic analyses. All acquisition costs presented in original currency values.