U.S. History: Louisiana Purchase Quiz

Louisiana Purchase Overview

• Thomas Jefferson served as the U.S. President during the Louisiana Purchase.
• The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory from France.
• The purchase price for the Louisiana Territory was $15 million.

Land Acquisition Details

• The Louisiana Purchase added approximately 828,000 square miles of land to the United States.
• This acquisition doubled the size of the nation and significantly increased its territory.

Motivations for the Purchase

• Control of the Mississippi River was a primary motivation to secure trade routes and access to resources.
• Expansion westward was seen as essential for the growing nation and the concept of Manifest Destiny.
• Preventing British expansion in North America was a strategic goal to reduce foreign influence and protect American interests.
• Establishing more slave states was NOT a primary reason for the acquisition, though it became a later topic in the debate over the expansion of slavery.