Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was a significant land deal in 1803 between the United States and France. President Thomas Jefferson sought to expand the U.S. territory, acquiring approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. This territory doubled the size of the United States and included parts of 15 states. The acquisition provided vast agricultural land, resources, and opportunities for westward expansion. It also helped secure control over the Mississippi River, which was vital for trade. The deal laid the foundation for the U.S. as a continental power.