The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in 1803 where the United States bought approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France, doubling the country's size. Napoleon, the French leader, needed money for wars in Europe, so he agreed to sell Louisiana. This acquisition gave the U.S. control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, significantly expanding its territory westward. The purchase was a key step in westward expansion, shaping the nation’s future and growth. It remains one of the most important land deals in U.S. history.