Trump's Greenland Bid Revives U.S. Tradition of Buying Territory

President Donald Trump's recent interest in purchasing Greenland is part of a long American tradition. Since the 19th century, the United States has often expanded its territory by opening its checkbook. The U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. It purchased Florida from Spain in 1819 and Alaska from Russia in 1867. These were major land acquisitions paid for with diplomatic deals. Other expansions, like the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War, involved force. But the history of growth through purchase is well established. By considering Greenland, President Trump has revived this old idea of territorial expansion through a simple transaction.