Louisiana Purchase Essays

The Louisiana Purchase was one of the most significant land purchases in history. In 1803, the United States purchased 828,000 square miles of land from France for just over $15 million dollars. This purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States and opened up vast new lands to settlers and explorers. The Louisiana Purchase began when President Thomas Jefferson sent James Monroe to negotiate a deal with Napoleon Bonaparte of France. At first, Napoleon wanted to sell only part of what would become known as the Louisiana Territory. However, after some negotiation and an offer from President Jefferson to pay double what he initially offered for Napoleon agreed to sell all 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for 15 million dollars worth of gold or it’s equivalent value in goods (the amount paid at today’s prices equates to about $233 million). The significance of this purchase cannot be understated ” it nearly doubled the size of young nation and opened up an entire continent full exploration and settlement opportunity that had previously been closed off by foreign nations like Spain who controlled much larger parts Mexico and South America at that time. With this newfound access came a huge influx immigrants looking for a better life on American soil which helped spur economic development in cities like St Louis, Chicago, and New Orleans among many others along those western rivers flowing into The Gulf Of Mexico And The Atlantic Ocean beyond.. Today, nearly two centuries later we are still feeling effects from this major event in world history. From pioneering entrepreneurs developing businesses based on resources found within these newly opened territories such as fur trapping or mining silver/gold ore; To cultural impact including music genres like jazz or rock n roll created along those same rivers so long ago One thing is certain: without The Louisiana Purchase our present day map might look very different indeed.