What was the importance of buying The Louisiana Purchase?

Answer 1

Louisiana was first claimed by the French. During the Seven Years' War between the French and the British, Louisiana was traded over from France to their ally, Spain, so the British would not acquire the territory if they won, which they did. After the Seven Years' War, France was basically booted out of the North American mainland by the British. The territory remained Spanish until Napoleon came to power, in which France then took the territory back in hopes of building an empire in North America. However, as time went by they saw that this wouldn't happen. France had hoped to use this land with their slave company in Haiti, in which the slaves would produce crops such as sugar or tobacco. Haiti's revolts ruined this plan and the French were stuck with a useless chunk of land. Here's where the US comes in. The US had its eyes on New Orleans, the major French trading post in Louisiana, which is still present today. The US went to France to purchase New Orleans and its surrounding land. France agreed but threw in a little bonus: the whole territory of Louisiana. The US agreed and paid a total of $11,250,000. The unintended purchase of Louisiana really kicked off the Manifest Destiny idea as well.

Answer 2

To expand the country and also to gain the port of New Orleans and power over the Mississippi river, allowing for a better flow of trade.

Answer 3

We wanted to buy the Louisiana Purchase to complete the manifest destiny of stretching from sea to sea. Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory for 15 million from France.

Answer 4

The land gained. Until the purchase as soon as a person crossed the Mississippi River they left the union. They were in French territory.