The history of US territorial expansion includes a number of major deals in which Washington acquired land from European powers and neighboring states. The Experts Club infographic highlights key acquisitions and their price at the time of the deal, as well as approximate estimates in 2026 dollars.
One of the largest deals was the Louisiana Purchase (1803), in which the US acquired vast territories in central North America from France for $15 million (estimated at around $430 million in 2026 prices). The next major expansion was the Mexican Cession (1848) — the transfer of territories following the Mexican-American War, formalized by an agreement, with a payment of $15 million (estimated at $615 million in 2026 prices).
Deals in the south and southwest were a separate block. Florida (1819) was transferred by Spain, and the financial part of the agreement was estimated at $5 million (in 2026 prices – about $127 million). The purchase of Gadsden (1854) from Mexico, which clarified the border in the southwest, cost the US $10 million (about $386 million in 2026 prices).
The most famous deal with the Russian Empire was the purchase of Alaska (1867) for $7.2 million (about $158 million in 2026 prices). Later, the US expanded into the Caribbean by purchasing the Virgin Islands (1917) from Denmark for $25 million (about $698 million in 2026 prices).
The Experts Club notes that the comparison of “prices in 2026” is approximate and depends on the conversion method (inflation indices, purchasing power parity). However, even with this approximation, it is clear that the historical transaction amounts appear relatively small by modern standards given the strategic value of the acquired territories, their natural resources, logistical position, and impact on security.
