Answer:
To gain access to Mississippi River and trade routes to the eastern America.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. wanted to purchase New Orleans from France in 1802 because American access to the Mississippi River and trade routes to the eastern America is possible through New Orleans. This purchase of New Orleans enabled the expansion of the United States to the eastern America. United States acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land of New Orleans for $15 million.