Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

547

United StateS

Today The UniTed STaTeS of america is the most powerful nation on earth. yet, just

240 years ago, the United States was a new and vulnerable nation. it occupied a narrow strip of

land on the atlantic coast of north america and had

a population of only about four million people.

Beyond its borders lay vast areas of unclaimed land.

Throughout the 19th century, american settlers

pushed the frontier westward across that land,

fighting the native americans for control. at

the same time, millions of immig rants from

europe were arriving on the east coast. By

1900, the nation’s farms and factories were

producing more than any other country. That

wealth and power led to its involvement in

international affairs and drew it into two world

wars. But the country continued to prosper.

Since 1945, the system of individual enterprise

that inspired the founders of the United States

has made its people among the world’s richest.

american business, influence, and culture have

spread to every other nation in the world.

fall of The SoUTh

The civil War ended in 1865, leaving the South

in ruinous poverty. The hatred and bitterness

caused by the war lasted for many years as the

federal government took temporary control

of the defeated southern states.

Spread of The railroad

in 1860 there were more than

30,000 miles (48,000 km) of track

in the eastern United States, but

almost none had been built west of

the mississippi river. on may 10,

1869, the first transcontinental

railroad was completed, and the two

coasts of america were joined for the

first time. a ceremony was held

at promontory point in Utah to mark

the occasion. The growth of the railroad

network helped unify the country.

Bought

from

Spain

1819

STarS and

STripeS

The first

official flag

was made

in 1777,

and had

one stripe

and one star for

each of the original

13 states of the

Union. after 1818, a

new star was added to

the flag each time a state

joined the Union. Today,

there are 50 stars.

foUnding faTherS

The United States originally consisted of 13 states, each with its own

customs and history. in 1787, george Washington and other leaders,

sometimes called the founding fathers, drew up the United States

constitution, a document that established a strong central government.

The constitution, which also safeguards the rights of the states and

those of their people, has been in force since 1789.

groWTh of The UniTed STaTeS

The 13 original colonies on the east coast gained their

independence from Britain in 1783, and acquired all the land as

far west as the mississippi river. in 1803, the vast area of louisiana

was bought from france, and by 1848 the United States had

reached the pacific ocean.

CANADA

13 original

states 1776

Oregon 1846

Acquired

in 1783

Texas

Annexed

1845

hiStory of the

Ceded by

Mexico 1848

Louisiana

Purchase

from

France

1803

Gadsden

Purchase

1853

MEXICO Acquired

by 1810

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