Final answer:
The Mississippi Company controlled Louisiana likely by holding a trade monopoly, as was common in other French territories like Canada. Alternative methods of control mentioned in the options, such as territory-wide elections or abolishing slavery, were not part of the company's policy. The Louisiana Purchase transferred control from France to the U.S. which is unrelated to the Mississippi Company's methods of control. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mississippi Company, led by John Law, was established in the early 18th century. It was granted control by the French government over the colony of Louisiana, which meant it had significant authority over trade and development in the region. While the specifics of how the Mississippi Company controlled Louisiana are not detailed in the provided information, it is known that they did not promote their officials for territory-wide elections (option B), nor did they force farmers to end the practice of slavery within 25 years (option D).
Historical records indicate that European companies similar to the Company of New France were often granted monopolies over trade in their respective colonies. Given the context and practice of the time, it is reasonable to infer that the Mississippi Company likely held a trade monopoly, similar to the one granted to the Company of New France in Canada, allowing it to control all trading rights from Canada to Louisiana (option A).
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803, however, was a separate event and marked the transfer of control from France to the United States for $15 million. It's important to differentiate Louisiana's earlier colonial history under the auspices of the Mississippi Company from its later history under American governance.