How the Nation Gained Its Land is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on how each territory became part of the United States, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Geo.5.3-5. It prints 6 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 22 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.
How the Nation Gained Its Land
D2.Geo.5.3-5
NameDate
Match each territory to how it was gained, then answer the questions.
1.Draw a line from each territory to how it was gained.
Alaska, 1867
Florida, 1819
Land to the Mississippi River, 1783
The Oregon Country, 1846
A.Given up by Spain in the Adams-Onis Treaty
B.Divided with Britain by a treaty along the 49th parallel
C.Recognized by Britain in the treaty that ended the Revolution
D.Bought from Russia
2.Who already lived on the land of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803?
A.Many Native nations, such as the Osage and the Lakota
B.No one at all
C.Only French soldiers
3.Many people at first called the purchase of Alaska a mistake. What was later found there?
A.Tobacco fields
B.Gold, and much later oil
C.Cotton plantations
4.Why did many Americans in 1846 oppose the war with Mexico?
A.They wanted Mexico to take more land
B.They thought it was unjust or would spread slavery
C.They had never heard of Texas
5.Which Native peoples lived in Alaska when it was bought?
A.Only the Cherokee
B.Many, including the Tlingit, Yupik and Inupiat
C.None, because it was empty
6.People of what nation lived in California, New Mexico and Arizona before 1848?
A.Russia only
B.Britain and France
C.Mexico, along with many Native nations
LessonPrint · D2.Geo.5.3-5 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — How the Nation Gained Its Land
Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Alaska, 1867 — D (Bought from Russia) 2. Florida, 1819 — A (Given up by Spain in the Adams-Onis Treaty) 3. Land to the Mississippi River, 1783 — C (Recognized by Britain in the treaty that ended the Revolution) 4. The Oregon Country, 1846 — B (Divided with Britain by a treaty along the 49th parallel)
2.Many Native nations, such as the Osage and the Lakota
3.Gold, and much later oil
4.They thought it was unjust or would spread slavery
5.Many, including the Tlingit, Yupik and Inupiat
6.Mexico, along with many Native nations
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Geo.5.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.