What territories did the US gain through armed conflict?

Answer 1

The United States has gained a number of territories through armed conflict. Since an armed conflict with Britain (called in the U.S. the Revolutionary War or the American Revolution) allowed the independence of the original thirteen states, all of this territory is arguably "gained through armed conflict". In addition, the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended this war established all the territory that belonged to the United States at its beginning, that extended (north to south) from the middle of what is now Maine to the southern border of Georgia, and to the eastern shore of the Mississippi river. Vermont, which had declared independence of its own accord, was not part of the United States at that time; as it was peacefully admitted in 1790, it would not be a territory gained through armed conflict, although all the rest of the United States at that time would have been.

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 resolved an undeclared, unofficial conflict between the militias and citizens of Maine and New Brunswick, called the Aroostook War, that occurred between 1838 and 1839, and clarified the border of Maine and Canada as it exists today. While this was not a declared war by any means, it was a conflict between armed citizens of two nations and arguably fits the criteria of the question.

The Mexican war from 1846-1848 involved the the occupation of what is now New Mexico (west of the Rio Grande), Arizona (aside from the later Gadsen Purchase), California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of western Colorado and southwestern Wyoming. This land was ceded by Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

During the Spanish-American War, which began and ended in 1898, the U.S. occupied Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, and the 1898 Treaty of Paris ceded control of all but Cuba to the U.S.; Cuba was given full independence in 1902, and the Philippines were given independence in 1946.

So, in summary:

All of the original 13 states, the Northwest Territories extending to the Mississippi river, Maine (but excluding Vermont, Florida and 'West Florida' which included the southern portions of Alabama and Mississippi), California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona (excluding the southern portion that was acquired in the Gadsen Purchase), New Mexico west of the Rio Grande, western portions of Colorado, southwestern portions of Wyoming, Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba (later given independence) and the Philippines (later given independence).

Answer 2

Pretty much all territory west of the Mississippi River, with the exception of Alaska, but including Hawaii.

Answer 3

Name the two areas of land won by the United States through armed conflict with other nations.