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USA History Trivia: 15 Facts About American Treaties
Throughout American history, treaties have played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s boundaries, relationships, and international standing. From territorial acquisitions to peace agreements, these diplomatic documents have left an indelible mark on United States history. Here are 15 fascinating facts about significant American treaties that have influenced the course of the nation.
1. Treaty of Paris (1783)
This landmark treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. The agreement established America’s initial boundaries and secured fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland for American vessels.
2. Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803)
Negotiated during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, this treaty with France doubled the size of the United States for just $15 million. The purchase price equated to roughly three cents per acre and added approximately 828,000 square miles to American territory.
3. Treaty of Ghent (1814)
Ending the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States, this treaty restored pre-war boundaries and established peace. Interestingly, the Battle of New Orleans was fought after the treaty was signed but before news reached America due to slow communication.
4. Adams-Onís Treaty (1819)
Also known as the Transcontinental Treaty, this agreement with Spain ceded Florida to the United States and established the western boundary of the Louisiana Territory. The U.S. agreed to pay claims against Spain up to $5 million.
5. Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)
This treaty settled the border dispute between Maine and British Canada, establishing the current border between the two nations. It also created a system for joint naval forces to suppress the African slave trade.
6. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
Ending the Mexican-American War, this treaty added approximately 525,000 square miles to U.S. territory, including parts of present-day Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming for $15 million.
7. Gadsden Purchase (1853)
This treaty with Mexico secured the purchase of approximately 30,000 square miles of land in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico for $10 million, primarily to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad route.
8. Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)
This agreement between the United States and various Native American tribes established the Great Sioux Reservation and hunting rights in the surrounding territories. The treaty was later violated when gold was discovered in the Black Hills.
9. Alaska Purchase Treaty (1867)
Dubbed “Seward’s Folly” after Secretary of State William Seward, this treaty secured the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, approximately two cents per acre. The purchase would later prove invaluable for its natural resources.
10. Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)
President Theodore Roosevelt mediated this treaty between Russia and Japan, ending the Russo-Japanese War. This diplomatic achievement earned Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.
11. Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Although President Woodrow Wilson helped craft this treaty ending World War I, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify it, largely due to opposition to joining the League of Nations. The U.S. later signed separate peace treaties with Germany and other Central Powers.
12. Panama Canal Treaty (1977)
This agreement between the United States and Panama provided for the complete transfer of the Panama Canal from U.S. to Panamanian control by December 31, 1999. The controversial treaty was signed by President Jimmy Carter.
13. SALT I Treaty (1972)
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement between the U.S. and Soviet Union marked the first time the superpowers agreed to limit their nuclear arsenals, representing a significant milestone in Cold War relations.
14. North American Free Trade Agreement (1994)
NAFTA created one of the world’s largest free trade zones between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The treaty eliminated most tariffs on products traded between the three countries and was later replaced by USMCA in 2020.
15. START Treaty Series (1991-2010)
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties between the U.S. and Soviet Union/Russia dramatically reduced nuclear arsenals. The New START Treaty, signed in 2010, extended these reductions and established new verification protocols.
Conclusion
These fifteen treaties represent crucial moments in American diplomatic history, from territorial expansion to international peace efforts and arms control. They demonstrate the evolution of American foreign policy and the nation’s growing influence on the global stage. Understanding these agreements provides valuable insight into how the United States developed into a world power and continues to shape international relations through diplomatic means.