Acquired territories refer to the regions or lands that a country gains through acquisition, usually through war, purchase, or treaty. In the context of US history, it specifically refers to the new territories acquired by the United States after conflicts such as the Mexican-American War.
Related terms
Manifest Destiny: This term refers to the belief during the 19th century that it was America's destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast.
Popular Sovereignty: Popular sovereignty is the idea that people living in a territory have the right to decide whether slavery would be allowed within their borders.
Expansionism: Expansionism is the policy or practice of expanding a nation's territorial boundaries by acquiring new land or colonies.