Essay On Thomas Jefferson Land Purchase

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Thomas Jefferson was able to make one of the largest recorded purchases of land, doubling the size of the US overnight. But how did he do it? He was a strongly anti-federalist, so it did not make sense for him to make such a federalist move. In 1803 the US purchased the Louisiana territory (an 800,000 square mile piece of land) from france for 15 million dollars. This was not Thomas Jefferson’s intention by any means when he went into it. One of Jefferson’s top priorities was to Have control over the port of New Orleans, located at the busy location at the mouth of the Mississippi river. This port was very important to the economy and trade of the United States. HIs first offer for the port (2 million dollars) was turned down. So he went …show more content…

Napoleon was a french military man and political leader who needed money. His recently purchased island country (now known as Haiti) had revolted sending him into debt. Because Napoleon saw no purpose in keeping the land he decided he would sell it. Napoleon’s ease in selling the land made the United States apprehensive that he would change his mind, but the deal went through. The cities and states in the Northeast resisted this purchase greatly. With the purchase not only was land gained, another 100,000 people became US citizens. These people had different customs, language, religion, and government understanding. This angered the people because they would have less power, and comfort than they had the rest of their life living in the country. From their prospective they were just letting in random foreigners who had no grasp on democracy. The Louisiana Purchase had many affects on the country. One of the most clear results of the Louisiana purchase was that the size of the US was doubled, making it a world power with a larger population. The US also now had control of the New Orleans port allowing for more of a trade flow, and economic growth. They also gained control of many other waterways that could also be used as ports for trade. Another result that is not forgotten is that many natives were forced to assimilate or move farther