ID: Louisiana Purchase
When: April 30, 1803
Who:
- United States: President Thomas Jefferson
- France: First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte
What:
The United States purchased approximately 828,000 square miles of land from France for $ 15 million. This land encompassed a vast territory west of the Mississippi River, doubling the size of the United States.
Impact? Why Significant?:
- Westward Expansion: The Louisiana Purchase opened up vast territories for American settlement and expansion, fueling westward migration and the concept of Manifest Destiny.
- Economic Opportunities: The acquisition provided access to valuable resources, including fertile farmland, navigable rivers, and potential trading routes.
- Foreign Policy Shift: The purchase solidified American control over the Mississippi River and its crucial port in New Orleans, reducing European influence in North America.
- Constitutional Debate: The purchase raised questions about the constitutionality of acquiring such a large territory, sparking debate over the limits of presidential power.
- Native American Removal: The expansion westward inevitably led to increased conflicts with Native American tribes, contributing to their displacement and forced migration.