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Top 10 Sensational Facts about Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Louisiana Purchase was done during the Thomas Jefferson era. This is when the United States of America acquired the Louisiana territory. The Louisiana Purchase led to doubling the size of the United States’ land and it was by far the largest territorial gain in American history.
It added about 2.14 million square kilometers of land to America that stretched from the Mississippi River to the rocky mountain and the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. This land was sold at 15 million which is approximately less than 3cent per acre. The Louisiana Purchase was signed and closed on April 30th, 1803 between the U.S. and France.
The land was previously owned by France under the leadership of Napoleon. He decided to sell the land to America to fund the warfare France had with the United Kingdom. There was opposition to the treaty by the United States Congress.
Congress wanted a constitutional purchase process to be followed. Regardless of opposition President Jefferson asserted his constitutional power to negotiate the agreement. Here are the top 10 outstanding realities about Louisiana Purchase (1803).
1. France had just regained control over the Louisiana territory
New Orleans in 1803, Photo Credit-J. L. Bouqueto de Woiseri-
Louisiana was named after King Louis IX during a 1682 canoe expedition in the Missippi River. France had handed over the land to Spain 80 years later and lost most of its other North American holdings to Great Britain. This was after their defeat in the French and Indian war.
In 1800 the French leader Napoleon pressured Spain to secretly sign a treaty under which it would regain back Louisiana territory and six warships. When news of the secret treaty reached then-president Jefferson he was concerned. Jefferson was worried that the French would control Louisiana. In turn, it would become the point of friction between the United States and France.
2. The United States of America almost went to war over Louisiana
Stereocard view of 1904 World Fair, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, Missouri, Photo by T. W. Ingersoll-
In 1795, a treaty was signed between Spain and America. It allowed merchants and farmers to send their goods down to the Mississippi River. Traders were able to store their products in New Orleans without paying export duties.
In 1802 the treaty was revoked. In America, this treaty was called the right of deposit and was critical so talks about the war began to increase. Alexandra Hamilton suggested that the United States be first to capture New Orleans and Florida and then negotiate. Hamilton was the treasury secretary. America was ready for war and sent troops to the borders of the Louisiana area.
3. The United States was shocked to be offered the entire Louisiana region
New Orleans in 1803, Photo Courtesy of J. L. Bouqueto de Woiseri-
It was a French friend to the president who offered the idea of purchasing the land rather than going to war over it. This led to the president appointing a special committee of James Monroe and then a minister Robert Livingstone to pay a sum of 9.375 million for New Orleans and Florida.
Livingstone also suggested taking over two-thirds of Louisiana located north of the Arkansas River. He argued it would serve as a crucial buffer between French Louisiana, British, and Canada.
They were surprised when Napoleon agreed to sell the entire territory on April 11th, 1803. April 30th was the day when it was signed and officially given to the United States on May 2 in exchange for 11.23 million plus the forgiveness of 3.75 million French debt.
4. The United States of America bought Louisiana with loan money
Napoleon had sold Louisiana for a total of 15 million to America. He wanted the money immediately to finance the warfare resources against Great Britain. America borrowed from two European banks. They finished paying the amount in 1823 and because of the interest rates the amount increased to a 23million cost.
5. The Louisiana Purchase was the largest territory gain in American history
Map of the states and territories of the United States as it was from October 1804 to January 1805, Map Credit-Golbez-
By acquiring Louisiana, America increased its size. It was the largest territorial gain in the country’s history. The Louisiana Purchase contained the present fifteen states in the United States and two Canadian provinces. The size of Louisiana territory was 828,000 square miles or 2.14 million square kilometers.
6. It was Lewis and Clark expedition that cemented the US presence in Louisiana territory
When the land was acquired president Jefferson required the unknown territory mapped. Jefferson ordered exploration of the area to establish an American presence to keep away European power from claiming it.
Lewis and Clark’s expedition helped establish the nation’s presence in the bought territory. They managed diplomatic and trade relations with indigenous tribes as well. The expeditions also obtained a wealth of geographical and scientific knowledge. It lasted from 1804 to 1806 and was a success.
7. Many Americans opposed the Louisiana Purchase
The members of the Federalist Party who were a minority in both houses of Congress were concerned that Louisiana Purchase would reduce their authority. Only one federalist senator supported approval of the Louisiana treaty which passed by 24-7 votes.
8. Napoleon’s brothers tried to talk him out of Louisiana purchase
Napoleon’s brothers Joseph and Lucien found out about his plan to sell Louisiana. According to Lucien’s memoir, the two visited him in the palace. They talked him out of the deal and Joseph expressed that he would lead opposition to the deal. Napoleon was mad at him and accused him of disrespect.
9. Napoleon wanted to use Louisiana to establish a large colonial empire in America
In 1800 Napoleon reacquired Louisiana from Spain through the secret treaty of san II defense. In return, he was to place the Spanish Louis Francis on the throne of the kingdom in northern Italy.
Napoleon had the secret ambition to reconstruct a large colonial empire in America. He changed his mind due to the situation in Europe. He was in the process of cementing supremacy in Europe and was after 10 years of a costly war. Selling Louisiana was politically and economically reasonable. Louisiana remained under Spain’s control until it was transferred to America.
10. The disagreement over slavery laws in Louisiana territory contributed to the American civil war
Louisiana was hard to govern. It was a European community that was inhabited by French, Spanish, and Mexican descendants. There were few Catholics as the majority of the people in America were protestants. It consisted of a large number of enslaved Africans.
Southern slaveholders wanted the government to establish a law allowing slavery in Louisiana territory. This would enable them to get slaves to undertake new agricultural enterprises and reduce the threat of slave rebellion.
The matter of slavery caused disagreement in Congress. The southern state wanted slavery extended to the western side. The northern states opposed new states being recognized as slave states. This was a major contributing factor to America’s civil war.
Louisiana’s purchase was a significant land gain for the United States. The country was able to expand its borders to great lengths. Although there were attempts by the United Kingdom to take over ownership during the War of 1812. America defended its space in the climax of that war in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
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