Beech Tree News Network

The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land deals the United States has ever made! While this deal was made in 1803, the story begins in 1800. French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte forced Spain to cede the region between the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains, called Louisiana, to France. He planned to build a French Empire in Louisiana with New Orleans as his imperial capital. By 1802, Napoleon tried to cripple the U.S. economy by closing down the Mississippi River to trade. Fortunately for the US, in spring 1803, France was facing a large slave revolt in Haiti and a possible war with Great Britain, which made them look for extra money. French Foreign Minister Talleyrand suggested selling Louisiana to the Americans so they would have the money to wage war with Great Britain. President Jefferson sent Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate a deal. Finally, on April 30, 1803, the French and Americans struck a deal for $15 million for 827,987 square miles (less than 4 cents/acre). As a result of the Louisiana Purchase, the United States gained 7 states and parts of 8 other states. This deal doubled the size of the United States and set up the nation for westward expansion