Louisiana Purchase
Definition
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France in 1803, where the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million.
Analogy
Think of the Louisiana Purchase as buying an expansion pack for your favorite video game. You pay a certain amount (in this case, $15 million), and suddenly you have a whole new world to explore and develop.
Related terms
Lewis and Clark Expedition: This was an expedition sent by President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase to explore this newly acquired territory.
Napoleon Bonaparte: The French ruler who sold the Louisiana Territory to America due to his need for funds for war in Europe.
Manifest Destiny: Again, this term is relevant here as it represents belief that fueled America's westward expansion, which was made possible through deals like the Louisiana Purchase.
"Louisiana Purchase" appears in:
Study guides (4)
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (10)
- The Louisiana Purchase ______ Jefferson's chances at winning the election of 1804.
- What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803?
- What could be an outcome if the Louisiana Purchase hadn't occurred?
- Which president is known for his role in the Louisiana Purchase?
- How might American nationhood evolve differently if Louisiana Purchase never happened?
- Who was the President of the United States during the Louisiana Purchase in 1803?
- How does Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase relate to President Truman's decision regarding Japan after WWII?
- What was a significant effect of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803?
- How does the Mexican-American War's impact on the US territorial expansion compare to that of the Louisiana Purchase?
- What would be the most likely effect on United States expansion if the Louisiana Purchase had not occurred?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.