Final answer:
The Louisiana Purchase was a pivotal moment in American history where the United States doubled in size by acquiring the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, under President Jefferson, for $15 million.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Louisiana Purchase is a landmark event in American history wherein the United States, under President Thomas Jefferson, acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. Jefferson, a proponent of an agrarian society, saw this as an opportunity to provide farmable land for Americans, despite concerns over the constitutional authority to make such a large acquisition. The territory, which was bought for $15 million, effectively doubled the size of the country, allowing westward expansion and access to the Mississippi River and New Orleans, crucial for trade and transport.
Napoleon's motive for the sale was influenced by the successes of the Haitian Revolution, which led him to abandon dreams of a French empire in America. Jefferson tasked Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate the purchase, which also paved the way for further exploration and mapping of the vast new land, including the famous expedition of Lewis and Clark. The Louisiana Purchase sparked debates over the future of slavery in the new territories and played a significant role in the lead-up to the Missouri Crisis.
The acquisition was a strategic economic and geopolitical move that expanded American influence, promising new opportunities and foreshadowing future territorial expansion.
Additionally, the purchase helped Jefferson win reelection in 1804, despite the constitutional controversy over presidential powers to acquire new land. The significance of the Louisiana Purchase can be seen in its facilitation of American growth, both geographically and in terms of national identity.