Examples of Nations and their border changes.

United States The eastern border of the United States was set by geography with the Atlantic Ocean. However, the western border of the US continually shifted throughout history. When the United States gained independence from Great Britain the western border was at the Mississippi River. Americans were interested in expanding westward, but they were surround by areas claimed by other nations. To the north, Canada belonged to Britain and to the south and west the land was controlled by Spain. The United States was able to acquire some of those lands through negotiation and purchase. In 1804, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. In 1819, they bought Florida from Spain. In 1836, settlers in Texas won their independence from Mexico. In 1845, Texas was admitted to the United States. The United States then expanded to the Pacific Ocean by dividing the Oregon Territory with Great Britain. The United States also obtained territories (Mexican Cession) from western Texas to California by defeating Mexico in the Mexican –American War (1846-1848). America’s borders were set by purchase and conquest, as well as geography.

Mexico Mexico is another nation that has seen its borders change. Between 1,800 and 300 B.C.E, before the first contact with the Europeans, Mexico was home to several Mesoamerican civilizations- the Olmecs, Teotihuacans, Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs. In the early 1500s the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes led a small army of conquistadors to conquer the ruling Aztec civilization. The territory, which Cortes named New Spain, was then colonized and became a part of the Spanish Empire. In 1821, Mexico received its independence from Spain. A province of Mexico, known as Texas, broke from Mexico and achieved independence in 1836. In 1846, a border dispute between the United States and Mexico, led to war. Mexico surrendered nearly half its land to the United States, including California and New Mexico. In 1854, the US purchased parts of Arizona and New Mexico- known as the Gadsden Purchase. This settled the borders Mexico still enjoys.

Mexico- 1821 Mexico-Today

Poland Some countries lack good natural borders. For example, Poland sits on a flat plain near Europe’s center. It is bounded by the Baltic Sea to the north and the Carpathian Mountains to the South. However, Poland has no natural defensible borders to the east and west. For this reason, its borders have shifted throughout its history. During its “Golden Age” in the early 17th century, Poland included the land of Lithuania and the Ukraine, and extended from the Baltic Sea almost to the Black Sea. In the 18th century Poland was divided up into separate sections by neighboring countries. Poland regained its independence after WWI, but it was invaded again by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. After WWII, Poland’s border was shifted westward taking territory from Germany and giving territory to the Soviet Union. During the cold War, Poland became a satellite country of the Soviet Union and fell under its control. In more recent times, Poland has enjoyed genuine independence.

1945- Today 1939-1941

France France is another country that once sought to expand its borders. It was prevented by conflict and by international political relationships. Louis XVI fought a number of wars to expand France’s borders eastward. Napoleon expanded France even further, but these lands were lost when Napoleon was defeated in 1814-1815. The areas of Belgium and Rhineland which were part of France’s “natural frontiers” were kept from France by other nations. When Germany was defeated in WWI, France gained the city of Strasbourg. In WWII, the Nazis claimed the city of Strasbourg for Germany in the war. When Germany lost WWII the city of Strasbourg was once again claimed by France.

Israel and Palestine In 1947, the United Nations voted in favor of creating a Jewish state, but this proposal was rejected by Arab leaders. When Israel declared its independence in 1948, neighboring Arab nations immediately declared war on Israel. Today, after several wars and shifting borders, Israelis and Palestinians are now debating the future borders of Israel and Palestine. One major issue is whether a new Palestinian nation should include some part of the city of Jerusalem. Both Arabs and Jews claim that Jerusalem is their Holy City.