Final Answer:
1. Oregon Territory became part of the United States through the Oregon Treaty of 1846 with Great Britain.
2. The New Mexico Territory became part of the U.S. after the Mexican-American War, via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
3. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) acquired the Louisiana Territory from France.
4. Texas joined the U.S. in 1845 after declaring independence from Mexico and being annexed by Congress.
5. The Gadsden Purchase (1853) added land from Mexico to complete the southern border of the U.S.
6. People moved west for land, gold (e.g., California Gold Rush), farming opportunities, and new beginnings.
7. A territory becomes a state when it meets population requirements, writes a state constitution, and Congress approves its admission.
8. The Missouri Compromise (1820) aimed to balance free and slave states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and banning slavery north of latitude 36°30′ in the Louisiana Territory.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of westward expansion reading comprehension worksheet.
