Louisiana Purchase
In 1800, the Mississippi River marked
the western border of the United States.
On the other side of the Mississippi
River was Spain. The Mississippi River
was hugely important to farmers and
merchants. They used the river to move
their products upstream and
downstream. More importantly, the
Mississippi River was used to move
products to the port of New Orleans.
From the port of New Orleans, farmers
and merchants were able to sell their
goods to east coast and European
markets.
Mississippi
River
Louisiana
Territory
Port of
New
Orleans
Farmers and merchants began facing
threats by the Spanish. The Spanish
controlled the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. In 1800, the Spanish no longer allowed
farmers and merchants free access to navigate along the Mississippi River and they closed the port of
New Orleans. The port of New Orleans was a strategic port for America both economically and for
national security. The actions by the Spanish almost resulted in war.
At the same time, France and Spain were negotiating for ownership of the Louisiana Territory—the vast
region between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains and the port of New Orleans and in a
secret treaty in 1800, Spain gave Louisiana and the port of New Orleans to France’s powerful leader,
Napoleon. It appeared that Napoleon’s plans for the region was to set up a colony. As a result, many
Americans were calling for war, not only against Spain, but now France.
To avoid hostilities, Jefferson offered to buy New Orleans from France. He received a surprising offer
back. The French asked if the United States wanted to buy all of the Louisiana Territory—a tract of land
even larger than the United States at that time.
So, on April 30, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was approved for $15 million—about three cents per acre.
The purchase doubled the size of the United States. At the time, Americans knew little about the
territory. But that would soon change.
© Rob Clobes 1. What do you think will
happen to Native Americans
living in the Louisiana
Territory?
3. What geographical
feature
marks the western
border
of
the United
Louisiana
States
in 1803?
Territory
4. What country stands in
America’s way from
controlling all of the Gulf
Coast?
5. How does control of the port of New Orleans help America’s economy? 2. How does control of the Mississippi
River help America’s economy?
Gulf Coast
6. How does control of the port of New Orleans help America’s national security? © Rob Clobes