Louisiana and Britain 11

One of Jefferson’s major actions expanded the country’s size greatly. After the Seven Years’ War, France gave its land west of the Mississippi River to Spain. The port of New Orleans was crucial for shipping American goods from the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. When Jefferson became president, Napoleon made Spain give back the Louisiana Territory to France, which worried Americans about France's plans for a large empire close to the U. S. Jefferson warned that if France controlled Louisiana, the U. S. would have to ally with Britain.

However, Napoleon lost interest in the territory after a slave revolt in Haiti. Facing a possible war with Britain, he decided to sell Louisiana to the U. S. for $15 million in 1803. This deal added over 2,600,000 square kilometers, including New Orleans, to the nation.

In 1805, Jefferson declared American neutrality in the conflict between Britain and France. However, British interference with American shipping led to the Embargo Act in 1807, which hurt the economy severely. As support for the embargo waned, Jefferson passed the Non-Intercourse Act in 1809, allowing trade with everyone except Britain and France. James Madison became president in 1809, and tensions with Britain escalated, leading the U. S. to declare war on Britain in 1812.