Jefferson reasoned that it was better to own the land than have foreign nations in our backyard. He originally wanted the city of New Orleans but Napoleon needed the money and felt that the land was too hard for France to defend. New Orleans was an important city because people moved cotton by boat down the Mississippi River.
Trade route
Jefferson wanted Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase because he wanted to know what the place was like. Example: what animals live there, what is the landforms, who are the Indians who live there, etc.
Thomas Jefferson mostly wanted the port of New Orleans so that the United States could control the gateway to the Mississippi River. However, Napoleon Bonaparte needed money and was no longer interested in establishing an empire in North America, so he offered all of the Louisiana Territory to Jefferson's envoys who accepted the offer. By making the purchase, Jefferson also removed France's influence in the region and allowed for US expansion.
He no longer needed a base in North America. (apex)
Thomas Jefferson mostly wanted the port of New Orleans so that the United States could control the gateway to the Mississippi River. However, Napoleon Bonaparte needed money and was no longer interested in establishing an empire in North America, so he offered all of the Louisiana Territory to Jefferson's envoys who accepted the offer. By making the purchase, Jefferson also removed France's influence in the region and allowed for US expansion.
Trade route
Trade route
He hoped to find an easy trade route to the Pacific
apex - He hoped to find an easy trade route to the Pacific.
to avoid war with France
To conquer all Native Americans living on the land
The main reason the Louisiana territory was sold to the US was because the seller, France was broke following recent war expenses. The Louisiana Territory roughly encompassed 13 central and western states, from Louisiana to Montana.
expansion
Jefferson wanted Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase because he wanted to know what the place was like. Example: what animals live there, what is the landforms, who are the Indians who live there, etc.
Thomas Jefferson mostly wanted the port of New Orleans so that the United States could control the gateway to the Mississippi River. However, Napoleon Bonaparte needed money and was no longer interested in establishing an empire in North America, so he offered all of the Louisiana Territory to Jefferson's envoys who accepted the offer. By making the purchase, Jefferson also removed France's influence in the region and allowed for US expansion.
He no longer needed a base in North America. (apex)
Thomas Jefferson mostly wanted the port of New Orleans so that the United States could control the gateway to the Mississippi River. However, Napoleon Bonaparte needed money and was no longer interested in establishing an empire in North America, so he offered all of the Louisiana Territory to Jefferson's envoys who accepted the offer. By making the purchase, Jefferson also removed France's influence in the region and allowed for US expansion.