One of the most influential decisions made in the history of The United States was the infamous Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was a deal made in 1803 between Napoleon, a French emperor and Thomas Jefferson, the current leader of America, in acquiring a whopping 825,000 square acres of land. This investment would double the amount of land and profit America would hold. 15 states were eventually created from the land deal and became one of the few greatest occurrences during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. Although this opportunity seemed undeniably beneficial, many other citizens at the time, most often Federalists, exposed the numerous flaws that came with this transaction. Federalist opposed the Louisiana purchase because it disrupted America’s financial progression, would sever ties between Northern and Southern states while also weakening the core values of the central government. Despite how glorified America is during these times, many can still remember the hardships that were faced before reaching this point. Similar to the eras such as the Reconstruction and The Great Depression, there was a time when America was still unfolding …show more content…
Due to the many people already occupying the newly purchased land and other possible disagreements, this deal could potentially cause more harm than good. Alexander Hamilton, a known enemy of progress to Thomas Jefferson, in his editorial “Purchase of Louisiana”, goes to the state, “There were Native Americans occupying the land citizens due to more space.” Not only were there Indians occupying the land, but also French, Spanish, and freed blacks. This added diversity could lead to social conflicts and sever the ties between than ever before. There was also the concern that an increase in slaveholding states created out of the new territory would exacerbate divisions between north and
The issue was with whether the purchase of the land was necessary and proper or if it fit in the guidelines of the tenth amendment. The President only has certain given powers and that includes executive orders, signing and vetoing legislation, war powers, and reprieves, and pardons. Although the purchase of Louisiana in 1803 seemed unconstitutional and was largely controversial with the federalist party, it was completely constitutional under the elastic clause and the implied powers that the executive branch of the federal government
Another reason we bought the Louisiana Purchase was to admit more states. We needed to admit more states so we could expand our population. We wanted more
This is an important part of the book because it is in this debate and subsequent decisions that had a lot to do with the shaping the nation. The Louisiana Purchase being such an enormous amount of land that the United States government had virtually no control over. It opened the door to opportunity for people, like Aaron Burr. Then the story puts the reader on the shores of the north river in New Jersey, following Burr as he awaits Hamilton in the infamous duel between the two. The two best lawyers in New York were there because of a dispute about negative words being printed in the paper.
The Federalists opposed the Louisiana Purchase due to political reasons. In document B it states, “The cowardly wretch at their head [Jefferson]”. This quote displays how low the Federalists thought of Jefferson. The document also states, “an infernal pleasure in the utter destruction of his opponents”, showing that Jefferson is thought of as a man with demonic pleasures against the Federalists. Further reasoning is that if they denied him an amendment to buy Louisiana, he would be stuck in a dilemma.
The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory in 1803. It had 828,000 square miles and most of the inhabitants in the region had a French, German, or Spanish background. The residents of the territory believed they would immediately be admitted to statehood and would have the same rights as those in the 1787 Northwest Ordinance, but the United States leaders thought otherwise. How did the Louisiana Purchase help the United States form a new notion about citizenship? The Louisiana Purchase helped the United States form a new notion when discussing the legality of the territory and how they would achieve statehood.
He was a strong believer in states' rights and thought that rights not explicitly stated in the Constitution should be given to the states. However, in writing the Constitution, there was no way to predict that a deal such as the Louisiana Purchase would ever be possible. Therefore, the power to purchase land from another government, thereby expanding the size of the United States, was never explicitly given to the federal government. Although Thomas Jefferson realized what a deal the Louisiana Purchase was, he had lots of moral doubts about completing the
The amount of acres that was bought was unbelievable because it doubled the size of America. The Louisiana purchase was 828,000 square miles. The land we bought was previously owned by France. This is still considered one of the biggest achievements in history.
This deal was to purchase the Louisiana Territory which would come with 827,000 square miles of land for about $15 million. Part of this land or all would later become 15 states. The size of the whole Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the size of the nation. This would only be the beginning for one of Jefferson´s one of many accomplishments Jefferson made in his 83 years of being on
The Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana purchase was one of the biggest land purchases in history. In 1803, the United States paid around $15 million dollars for around 800,000 square miles of land. This was arguably the greatest achievement of thomas jefferson’s presidency. The louisiana territory was a wild card in the european game of imperialism.
The Louisiana Purchase was a major event in America’s history. Western expansion came with many different actions, but none of them were as important as the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana territory was bought by President Thomas Jefferson from Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Ruler, in 1803. The purchase increased Americas land by approximately 827,000 square miles of land stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, and cost $15 million dollars, which was only about 5 cents a square mile (www.monticello.org). There were as many disadvantages as there were advantages regarding the Louisiana Purchase.
In America’s history there have been many events or times that have in a way changed and shaped how we live today. The Louisiana Purchase could be recognized as one of the best and most impressive real estate purchases of Thomas Jefferson’s past. Also, this purchase could be looked at as one of the most important events in America’s past. Many historians would agree on this, but many opinions would be different on the fact if this purchase was actually worth the buy or not. Even Jefferson himself would have some doubts about the purchase.
The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed on April 30, 1803, in Paris, France, during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. It was a significant milestone in our history and set a precedent for future generations. While people were not convinced that this was a good idea and felt it would be a waste of money, Jefferson envisioned more freedom from foreign superpowers, more land to farm, and unrestricted access to the Mississippi River which was controlled by the more-powerful France. Acquiring the Port of New Orleans and the Floridas from France was the biggest and most important real estate deal in history. It gave people opportunities to settle into unsettled territory, strengthened our nation and paved the way for future land purchases.
The Louisiana Purchase was the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States from France in 1803. The U.S. paid fifty million dollars and a cancellation of debts worth eighteen million dollars which averages to less than three cents per acre. The Louisiana territory included land from fifteen present U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The territory contained land that forms Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, portions of Minnesota, large portions of North Dakota; large portions of South Dakota, parts of New Mexico, the northern portion of Texas, the area of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. The Louisiana Purchase was smart move by the United States.
Did Federalists oppose the Louisiana Purchase for practical reasons or political reasons? The Federalists took it from a more political view with some ethical points regarding putting in new states through the executive branch, treatings, and slavery, (Document B ). Hamilton himself hates Jefferson and tried to make him look dumb and lucky and tried to make the possibility of success slim(Document A ). In Document B Rufus King is concerned about admitting new states with treaties through the executive branch or Congress, but if they do they have to follow their treaty and help settlers and property owners have their property “protected”. They are also worried about treating slaves unequally coming from the current increase of the representation
Jefferson’s dilemma in the Louisiana Purchase In April of 1803 Thomas Jefferson was faced with many moral dilemmas in the process of buying the Louisiana territory. Though the price for the territory was beyond generous, Jefferson felt that by purchasing the territory he would be going against his beliefs that the constitution should be followed word for word. The constitution said nothing of the president having the power to purchase land from another government, or to use money of the states for the same purpose (“the moral dilemma”). Another problem was once the land was purchased, there was a fear that it could have been a waste since they had no way to know the layout of the land, and what it would be useful for.