It is impossible to look at the how the boundaries of Arizona were determined without first understanding the formation of the United States. As thoughts of the American Revolution faded into the distance, the newly formed United States had to determine what would be done with the land west of the Appalachians and east of the Mississippi that was now available for settlement. 

Overlapping state claims to this land and the political chaos that could ensue needed to be dealt with first to continue the country’s expansion westward. Visionaries saw the country stretching even to the Pacific Ocean. And through acquisitions and war the country came together. 

But questions arose! Who would lead this vision for hundreds of thousands of people to cross the wide-open spaces to seek their fortunes in gold or land and what were the factors that contributed to this westward migration?  How were state borders and shapes an outcome of manifest destiny?  What and who determined the shape of Arizona’s border?  These are just some of the questions that will be answered as an historical overview in this presentation.