15 U.S. Territories That Formerly Belonged To Other Countries

The United States’ territorial expansion has been marked by the acquisition of lands that were once under foreign governance. Through colonization, treaties, and shifting international borders, the U.S. has integrated various regions into its domain. This history reflects a complex interplay of diplomacy, conflict, and cultural exchange. Understanding these transitions provides insight into the nation’s growth and its evolving international relationships.

1. Puerto Rico (Spain)

Puerto Rico was under Spanish rule for over 400 years before being ceded to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. Spanish cultural influence remains strong in language, cuisine, and architecture. The transition is outlined by the Treaty of Paris of 1898 (britannica.com).

2. Guam (Spain)

Guam was another Spanish possession ceded to the United States in 1898. Previously administered from the Philippines, Guam retains Spanish place names and customs, though it is now a critical U.S. military location in the Pacific. The islands were part of the Spanish East Indies, and part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, based in Mexico City. The Spanish-Chamorro Wars on Guam began in 1670 over growing tensions with the Jesuit mission, with the last large-scale uprising in 1683. After almost four centuries as part of the Kingdom of Spain, the United States occupied the island following Spain’s defeat in the 1898 Spanish-American War, as part of the Treaty of Paris of 1898. Guam was transferred to the United States Navy control on December 23, 1898, by Executive Order 108-A from 25th President William McKinley. The US Navy assumed administrative control, with Captain Richard P. Leary appointed as the first naval governor in 1899. This era marked the introduction of American governance structures and cultural influences to the island (en.wikipedia.org).

3. U.S. Virgin Islands (Denmark)

The U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix—were once Danish colonies known as the Danish West Indies. The U.S. purchased them in 1917 to prevent German expansion in the Caribbean. Danish influence can still be found in local cuisine and architecture (britannica.com).

4. Northern Mariana Islands (Japan, Germany, Spain)

The Northern Mariana Islands have a complex history, ruled successively by Spain, Germany, and Japan before U.S. administration began in 1944 following World War II. Each colonial period left distinct cultural traces, from Spanish Catholicism to Japanese fortifications still visible today (britannica.com).

5. American Samoa (Germany, Britain, U.S. co-administration)

American Samoa was part of the Samoan Islands group, historically contested by Germany, Britain, and the United States. An 1899 treaty split the islands, giving the U.S. control of the eastern islands. The European legacy is less visible, but treaties and protectorates set the stage for America’s current role.

6. Wake Island (Empire of Japan)

Wake Island was claimed by the United States in 1899 but was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945 during World War II. Japanese fortifications and bunkers still remain. The handover was an important Pacific theater event (britannica.com).

7. Midway Atoll (no prior sovereign state, briefly claimed by Hawaii Kingdom)

Midway Atoll was uninhabited but claimed by the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1867, then taken over by the U.S. government. Its key location made it strategically important, especially during WWII. The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4-7, 1942, marked a turning point in the Pacific theater, with the U.S. Navy achieving a decisive victory over the Japanese fleet (britannica.com).

8. Palmyra Atoll (Kingdom of Hawaii/Britain)

Palmyra Atoll was annexed by the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1862 and later claimed by Britain in 1889. Following the U.S. annexation of Hawaii in 1898, Palmyra became part of the U.S. territory. Its unique status as an incorporated U.S. territory has led to ongoing legal debate (britannica.com).

9. Johnston Atoll (Kingdom of Hawaii, disputed with Britain)

Johnston Atoll was claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act of 1856. In 1858, both the U.S. and the Kingdom of Hawaii laid claim to the atoll, leading to a brief dispute. The U.S. continued to assert control, and after Hawaii’s annexation in 1898, Johnston Atoll became part of the U.S. territory. The atoll was used for military and nuclear testing, and its sovereignty was assured following Hawaii’s annexation (britannica.com).

10. Baker Island (Britain)

Baker Island was claimed by the United States in 1857 for guano extraction but also saw British claims during the 19th century. It is now a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge with remnants of earlier settlements visible (britannica.com).

11. Howland Island (Britain)

Howland Island was claimed by the United States in 1857 under the Guano Islands Act, but also saw British claims during the 19th century. It is best known as the intended refueling stop for Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan during their 1937 round-the-world flight. Earlier efforts at colonization by both countries ultimately failed.

12. Kingman Reef (Britain, Hawaii)

Kingman Reef was claimed by the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1859 and subsequently by Britain. It was formally annexed by the United States in 1922 and became a U.S. naval reservation in 1934. Today, it is a protected marine reserve with no permanent population (britannica.com).

13. Swains Island (Britain, Tokelau, U.S. claim)

Swains Island, now administered as part of American Samoa, was at various times claimed by Britain and by the nearby Tokelauan people. It officially became part of the U.S. in 1925 with the Deed of Cession (britannica.com).

14. Navassa Island (Haiti/France)

Navassa Island, located between Haiti and Jamaica, was claimed by France as part of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) and later by Haiti. The United States also claimed the island under the Guano Islands Act in 1857. Mining operations took place between 1865 and 1898. The dispute with Haiti continues, though the U.S. continues to administer it as a National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov).

15. Alaska (Russia)

Acquired from Russia in 1867, Alaska was previously known as Russian America. The transfer, referred to as the Alaska Purchase, brought with it Russian Orthodox churches, place names, and a legacy seen in communities like Sitka. The $7.2 million deal is one of the most significant territorial expansions in U.S. history. (britannica.com)

Conclusion

The United States’ territorial history is marked by a diverse array of acquisitions, including treaties, purchases, and international negotiations. These events have significantly shaped the nation’s geography and demographics. The cultural legacies of former governing nations are evident in place names, architectural styles, and religious practices, reflecting the complex tapestry of influences that have contributed to America’s rich and varied heritage. (census.gov)