Territorial expansion refers to the acquisition or enlargement of land controlled by a country's government, often through exploration, diplomacy, or military force.
Related terms
Louisiana Purchase: The acquisition of land from France in 1803 that doubled the size of the United States.
Mexican-American War: A conflict between Mexico and the United States from 1846 to 1848 resulting in significant territorial gains for the United States.
Gadsden Purchase: The purchase of additional land from Mexico in 1853, which completed most of present-day southwestern United States.