The History of the US during the 1800s. The Lousiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase

In 1801, the piece of land that is now known as the state of Louisiana was part of a large territory controlled by France, the Mississippi River was the best way to transport goods to the United States and Europe.

The river ran through the big territory of Louisiana and met the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was an important port for American Shipping and trade. Napoleon Bonaparte, the emperor of France controlled the port. He didn't like  having Americans in New Orleans.  He wanted French citizens living there. France started to build blockades so American Traders couldn't trade.  President Thomas Jefferson, the president of the US at the time, he knew he needed the port so the country could grow. He sent a diplomat to try and get the port for 2 million dollars. Napoleon declined.  President Thomas Jefferson tried again, this time sending a different diplomat. Also this time, He was willing to offer up to $10,000,000 for the port. At the time, France was at war with Britain and needed money badly, Napoleon offered the whole Louisiana territory, including the present-day states of Louisiana, Arkansas, ( pronounced Ar-can-saw) Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Montana for only $15,000,000! President Jefferson took the offer gladly. The land deal nearly doubled the nation's size!

Next Time, Learn about The War of 1812