Audio

How long does it take to build a nation? For the United States… it took over 180 years to grow from 13 small states… into 50. This is the story of expansion… power… and ambition. In 1776, after the American Revolutionary War began, 13 colonies became the first states. America didn’t start wit…

How long does it take to build a nation? For the United States… it took over 180 years to grow from 13 small states… into 50. This is the story of expansion… power… and ambition. In 1776, after the American Revolutionary War began, 13 colonies became the first states. America didn’t start with one state… it started with thirteen at once. For years, growth was slow. Then in 1803, the U.S. made a massive deal with France. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the country overnight.