The US very much needed secure access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. In those days, the Ohio and Mississippi River and connecting streams were the only practical way to move goods and people to much of the Western territories. The roads were mostly just trails, impassible much of the time and unsafe for travelers due to Indians. River boats were much safer and faster.
When Napoleon offered the to sell the entire Louisiana territory, Jefferson saw its value, not only for the present but for the future.
The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land deals in history. In 1803, the United States paid approximately $15 million dollars for over 800,000 square miles of land. This land deal was arguably the greatest achievement of Thomas Jefferson's presidency but also posed a major philosophical problem for Jefferson.
Jefferson was willing to go against his ideas of "strict construction" to purchase the Louisiana Territory because he felt that the purchase would benefit the country with trade and agriculture.
Jefferson thought about seeking a constitutional amendment. Jefferson took the offer to Congress and Congress approved the treaty and the money. He thought Napoleon would back out of the deal
he worried whether the purchase was legal. the Constitution said nothing about acquiring new territory.
Jefferson sent Livingston and Monroe to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase with France.
The Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and thereby doubled the size of the US.
Louisiana purchase
What did Thomas Jefferson purchase the Louisiana
Thomas Jefferson proposed and completed the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
Jefferson sent Livingston and Monroe to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase with France.
The Louisiana Purchase
thomas Jefferson for $15million
Thomas Jefferson
The 1803 deal made by Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon of France. The deal was called the Louisiana Purchase.
He arranged the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.
Thomas Jefferson
The Louisiana Purchase.
Thomas Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and thereby doubled the size of the US.
Thomas Jefferson