description The Louisiana Purchase Overview
The Louisiana Purchase was an 1803 land deal in which the United States acquired approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France for about $15 million.
help The Louisiana Purchase FAQ
How much did the United States pay France for the Louisiana Purchase?
The United States paid France approximately 15 million dollars for the entire Louisiana territory. This massive land deal averaged out to less than three cents per acre, making it one of the most cost-effective land acquisitions in history.
How much land was actually acquired in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803?
The deal transferred approximately 828,000 square miles of territory west of the Mississippi River to the United States. This vast expanse of land eventually formed all or part of 15 different U.S. states, including Louisiana, Missouri, and Montana.
Which U.S. President authorized the Louisiana Purchase?
President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase in 1803. Although he was a strict constructionist who initially worried the Constitution did not explicitly grant him the power to buy foreign land, he recognized the immense strategic value of controlling New Orleans.
Who were the key American diplomats who negotiated the Louisiana Purchase in Paris?
James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston were the primary American negotiators in France. They originally intended only to buy New Orleans and Florida for up to 10 million dollars, but were stunned when Napoleon offered the entire territory for 15 million.
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