Why is the Louisiana Purchase considered as one of the most significant events of the ninteenth century?

Answer 1

The Louisiana Purchase more than doubled the size of the United States, which did not extend past the Mississippi River at the time of the purchase. It also removed a major European power (France) from the American frontier and paved the way for American expansion to the Pacific Ocean - none of which were considered remotely possible prior to 1804.

Answer 2

With the Louisiana Purchase, the United States doubled its territory. It also began a westward expansion toward the Pacific which would make it a two ocean nation. While the southern part of the Louisiana Purchase was suitable for slavery, the northern part was not. Thus, a number of foreigners without slaves moved to establish farms in the northern part of that territory. They would be loyal solders for the Union in the Civil War.

Answer 3

Not only did the Louisiana Purchase effectively double the size of the nation, it also eliminated the presence of one of the three major European powers whose territory hemmed in the country. Prior to the purchase, the US was bounded by English Canada to the north, Spanish Florida to the south, and French Louisiana to the west. The Lousiana Purchase therefore eliminated a border with territory of Napoleonic France, it also opened the way west toward the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 4

The Louisiana Purchase was a major acquisition for the US. It almost doubled the size of the country's territory and gave the US the city of New Orleans. It also signaled for the time, an end to French major territories in the Western Hemisphere and blocked Great Britain from trying to take New Orleans from France as now, the US, and its close by military could secure the city.