Louisiana Purchase Essay
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States of America and France, signed on April 30, 1803. The United States acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. The purchase was one of the most significant events in American history, as it opened up vast territories for exploration and settlement. This research paper will discuss the background, the events leading up to the purchase, the negotiations, and the impact of the Louisiana Purchase.
Background
In 1763, the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War and gave Great Britain control of French territories in North America. France retained control of Louisiana, which included the Mississippi River and New Orleans.
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This right allowed American farmers to ship their goods down the Mississippi River to New Orleans and then transfer them to ocean-going vessels for export. The revocation of this right was a severe blow to American commerce and led to calls for war with Spain.
Meanwhile, Napoleon Bonaparte, the leader of France, was planning to re-establish a French empire in North America. To do this, he needed money to finance his wars in Europe. He sent his brother-in-law, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, to the United States with the proposal to sell Louisiana to the Americans.
Negotiations
President Thomas Jefferson was initially hesitant to purchase Louisiana because he was unsure if it was constitutional to do so. He ultimately decided to pursue the deal, as he believed it was in the best interests of the United States. He sent James Monroe and Robert Livingston to France to negotiate the purchase. They arrived in Paris in April 1803 and began negotiations with Talleyrand.
The negotiations were successful, and on April 30, 1803, the United States agreed to purchase Louisiana from France for $15 million. The deal was signed by Monroe, Livingston, and French representative Barbe-Marbois.
Impact of the Louisiana
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