which area did the united states acquire in the 1840s, and how did it acquire the land? responses mexico ceded california to the united states as part of a peace treaty. mexico ceded california to the united states as part of a peace treaty. andrew jackson purchased the florida territory from france. andrew jackson purchased the florida territory from france. the united states purchased hawaii from france. the united states purchased hawaii from france. the united states took the louisiana territory from native americans.