The Louisiana Purchase

What was the state of the United States at the start of 1803?

At the beginning of 1803, the United States consisted of the original 13 British colonies turned states, along with Vermont, Tennessee and Kentucky. The rest of the land belonged theoretically to France, Spain and Britain, though it was primarily inhabited by Native Americans.

How did the United States expand in size and what were the effects?

By 1890, the USA had increased its size by 2.5 million square miles, stretching across North America to the Pacific. This expansion transformed the nation into a major economic power with profound political, cultural, demographic and environmental effects.

What role did the Founding Fathers envision for westward expansion?

While Jefferson envisaged a nation of gentleman farmers settling the West, most early Americans did not foresee the nation extending to the Pacific. The Constitution did not specifically address the acquisition of more territory.

What was the procedure for admitting new states?

1. New land acquired by the United States is initially administered directly by Congress as a ‘territory’.

2. Once it has a sufficiently large population (60,000), the population of the territory vote to apply for statehood.

3. Congress then decides, by simple majority vote, whether to admit the proposed new state to the Union or not.

How did the United States acquire the Louisiana Territory?

The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory through purchase from France. This nearly doubled the size of the US (as the territory spanned 828,000 square miles) and was critical for gaining control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans.

How did the situation in St. Domingue affect the Louisiana territory?

The situation in St. Domingue, including the resistance led by Toussaint L’Ouverture, complicated Napoleon’s plans to take full control of New Orleans. This led to Napoleon’s decision to cut his losses in America.

How much did the Louisiana territory cost?

Much to the amazement of Monroe and Livingston, they were offered not just New Orleans, but the whole of the territory of Louisiana for just $15 million. This was a fantastic deal.

What were some constitutional concerns related to the Louisiana Purchase and how were they addressed?

The Louisiana Purchase raised constitutional concerns for President Jefferson, but these were ultimately set aside. The Senate approved the treaty, allowing the United States to acquire Louisiana without a Constitutional Amendment. It was handed to the US in 1803.

What were the implications of the Louisiana Purchase?

The acquisition of Louisiana angered some of the US diplomats because they had committed him to spending more than double the federal government’s normal annual expenditure. The pace at which the agreement passed through Congress brought about some concern: in Jefferson’s eyes, there was no time to pass an Amendment, so this did not happen. It also hinted at future struggles and conflicts for the United States, including issues related to the displacement of Native Americans.

Which factors played a role in the Louisiana Purchase?

Factors such as luck, biology (new species and the importance of the Mississippi River), global politics (disputed control of New Orleans) and the skills of Thomas Jefferson contributed to the acquisition of Louisiana.