Louisiana Purchase Thesis

A Steal of a Deal
At the start of the 1800s the United States was only a shadow of its present self. The United States did not develop geographically into the nation known today until the end of 1803 when the current president, Thomas Jefferson, negotiated one of the most successful real estate purchases in United States history. This land purchase with France became known as the Louisiana Purchase, and is acknowledged as an enormous accomplishment for President Jefferson. The Louisiana Purchase is a significant event in United States history, not only by doubling the size of the United States, but by having a considerable effect on the young nation’s foreign and domestic affairs. First, to understand the effects of the Louisiana Purchase
Although, Britain and France were not at war during the time of the purchase, war between the two was inevitable and the result over the Louisiana Purchase directly influenced the United States to not side with Great Britain in the conflict. President Jefferson was convinced that when France first occupied the Louisiana territory that the United States would be forced to fight to obtain New Orleans, possibly even allying with Britain. According to Jefferson “the day that France takes possession of New Orleans, we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation” (Louisiana Purchase 1). This quote by Jefferson not only displays the importance of the New Orleans’ port but shows how the United States was considering allying with Britain. It is almost certain that if Napoleon and the United States did not agree on the Louisiana Purchase, that the United States would have assisted Britain in defeating Napoleon, improving the relations between the United States and Britain. Also, if the United States and Britain allied, then the future trade blockade on Europe by the British Royal Navy to hinder France would never increase tensions between Britain and the United States. Since this blockade was a major cause for the United States and Britain to go to war during the War of 1812, it is almost certain that the United States and Britain could have
One major issue was incorporating the huge territory into the United States. Most of the territory had not been explored or surveyed and “the only part of the Louisiana Purchase with a significant non-Indian population in 1803 was the region around New Orleans” (Foner 305). When Jefferson endorsed the expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to survey the unexplored land, the explorers found the purchased land heavily populated with Native American tribes. Also, the Native Americans currently living on the territory were already accustomed to trading with Europeans, and were extremely comfortable in their surroundings. Almost all of the Native Americans inhabited in the territory were not aware that the United States, let alone France or Spain, had “claims” to their land. This posed an enormous dilemma for Jefferson and the federal government since soon a decision would have to be made regarding the natives. Originally Jefferson had a view of assimilating the Native Americans, or literally “reeducating” Native Americans to accept western culture and beliefs. Jefferson believed that Native Americans were merely just a less civilized culture and with the correct educating they could effectively participate in the United States government. Few tribes would agree but for “Indian tribes who refused to cooperate in civilizing