Colton's general map of the United States published at the beginning of the American Civil War is notable for the initial political development of the western states and territories.

As ever with Colton's general maps of the United States, the most interesting features are to be seen in the development of the American west. In this example, the geo-political basis is rooted in the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 which carved up vast areas of western territories into more manageable administrative regions. 

In addition to these two major Federal Acts, there are further developments specific to this window in time. The most prominent is the short lived Confederate Territory of Arizona, which is shown this map and splits New Mexico and Arizona on a horizontal as opposed to a vertical border. A more prominent border is the short lived boundary between Washington and Oregon Territories, which at this point briefly show Washington as being almost twice the size of Oregon as the borders were drawn along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This configuration lasted a short time and is present on maps during only a few years. Further areas include the addition of a "Panhandle" to the Indian Territory, an early mention of the name "Dakota" and an unnamed stretch of land marked between Nebraska, Kansas and Utah. 

The map also bears the proposed routes of several transcontinental railways after years of painstaking work by surveying groups sent out by the United States Government. 

Original colour. [USA10069]