Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase
The Vital Acquisition of our Country

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    The facts of the story which surround the purchase of the current state of Louisiana and

some of its surrounding territories is not only complicated, but it involves politics and power. As Thomas Jefferson was the culprit behind the acquisition of the land, it was thought of by many to be one of his greatest achievements and possibly one of the greatest historical achievements of all time. As the facts of this major accomplishment are examined and explored, it will become apparent that this purchase was indeed one of the significant turning points in the development of the United States of America.
    As the French and Indian wars drew to an end, France had lost a large majority of its land possessions in the area of North America. As their loss in land was split up between Spain and Britain, the spoils of the land and all of its productive empire went along with it.
    Eventually, the United States won its independence from Great Britain and the leaders had a few major concerns. One of these concerns that topped the charts was the issue of having European powers on its boundaries as well as certain land and water restrictiveness. The Ohio and Mississippi rivers provided easy access to the port of New Orleans and without free reign in these waters, the exporting of goods and supplies was virtually impossible. Unfortunately, both sides of the Mississippi river were not owned by the United States, they were owned by the Spanish. The possibility of peaceful treaties and negotiations were a viable option and they were provided with certain restrictions, but the idea of a constant renewal and foreign rule of the passageways was growing heavy on the shoulders of Americans.
    By the early 1800’s, workers in the United States were bringing in over one million dollars worth of products through New Orleans. As the workforce population increased and borders became crowded, the Spanish... [continues]

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