![]() ![]() It is believed that several factors acted in unison to influence the decision of Napoleon to offer Louisiana to the US for sale. The US Senate ratified the purchase in October and in 1803, the transfer of authority from France to the US was complete. The treat of the purchase and handover of the Louisiana Territory was dated April 30, 1803, and signed on May 2 of the same year. ![]() The swift negotiations led to the US paying $11,250,000 to France and a debt cancellation of $3,750,000 to gain control of the Louisiana Territory. However, to their surprise, they got more than they had originally asked for, albeit at a higher price. Thus, Jefferson sent representatives of the US to France to strike a deal for the purchase of New Orleans, and if possible, the Mississippi River’s west bank. France was at that time led by Napoleon Bonaparte and the American government feared that under the leadership of their able ruler, the French might dominate the Mississippi River and limit the access of Americans to the Gulf of Mexico. The area included the port at New Orleans which was a strategic port in the region. In the north to south direction, the territory extended between the Canadian border and the Gulf of Mexico. The Louisiana Territory stretched east to west from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The Louisiana Purchase is regarded to be one of the most significant achievements of Jefferson during his presidency in the US. A small part of present-day Canada was also included in the Louisiana Territory. Fifteen US states had their territories located partly or completely within the purchased land area. The purchase also led to the formation of several new US states. Thomas Jefferson, the President of the United States (US) at that time, played the leading role in purchasing the land that helped double the size of the US. The land purchased had an area of about 828,000 square miles. Louisiana Purchase was a historic event that involved the purchase of Louisiana Territory from France by the US. How Did the Louisiana Purchase Affect the United States? Area included in the Louisiana Purchase. ![]()
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