Chapter 7: Conflicts of Empire

Section 2: Disputes with the United States

BellworkPretend you and a neighbor, with whom you are friends, have a disagreement over

who owns the land between your two homes. How might you resolve this

dispute?

The Growing U.S. Threat

•1775: The thirteen colonies begin a fight for independence from the British

The Growing U.S. Threat

Spain joins the fight against the British

The Growing U.S. Threat

• Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana won several victories against the British

Bernardo de Gálvez

The Growing U.S. Threat

• 1783: U.S. gains its independence

•Republic—government in which the voters elect officials to represent them

The Growing U.S. Threat

• U.S. Settlers pushed to the Mississippi River, some even crossed into New Spain

The Growing U.S. Threat

•1800: France forces Spain to return Louisiana

•Spain allowed some Americans to move to Texas in order to boost the population there.

The Growing U.S. Threat

• 1803: Louisiana Purchase—agreement that nearly doubled the size of the United States

Page from the Louisiana Purchase Treaty

Louisiana commemorative state

quarter

Border Dispute in Texas

•Spanish become worry because they are now bordered by the U.S.

•U.S. growth a threat to Spanish control of Texas and Louisiana

United States of America

As a friend of Spain

Spain joins the fight against Great Britain during the American Revolution

As a threat to Spain

Growth of the U.S. is a threat

to Spanish control of Texas and Louisiana

Border Dispute in Texas

• Some US officials claim Rio Grande is western boundary

• Spain claims that it is at least the Arroyo Hondo

Border Dispute in Texas

•1806: Spanish LTC Simón de Herrera and US Gen. James Wilkinson meet

•Reach a temporary solution

Border Dispute in Texas

•The disputed area between Texas & Louisiana known as a Neutral Ground separated the U.S. from Texas

•Diplomats—officials that represent countries in foreign affairs

Border Dispute in Texas

• 1819: US and Spain sign the Adams-Onís Treaty:

– US gives up all claims to Texas

– U.S. gains the Neutral Ground and Florida

Dispute

Temporary Solution

Permanent Solution