19th Century Territorial History

The 19th century saw significant territorial changes driven by wars, treaties, colonization, and expansion. Countries like the United States expanded westward through Manifest Destiny, acquiring territories from France (Louisiana Purchase), Mexico, and indigenous lands. Europe’s empires grew through colonization in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The collapse of empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire redefined borders. Conflicts like the American Civil War also influenced territorial boundaries. Overall, this period was marked by intense territorial reshaping, driven by nationalism, economic interests, and imperial ambitions, shaping the modern geopolitical map we recognize today.