Ellis argues Jefferson approved the Louisiana Purchase based on his desire for westward expansion and agrarian ideals, whereas Meacham believes Jefferson was motivated by national security and economic interests.
The major difference between Ellis's and Meacham's historical interpretations of how Jefferson came to approve the Louisiana Purchase lies in their illumination of Jefferson's motivations and the ensuing events. Ellis suggests that Jefferson was motivated more by his desire for westward expansion than by any immediate economic or strategic considerations. This position aligned more with his agrarian ideal for America.
On the other hand, Meacham emphasizes the role of national security and economic interests above Jefferson's ideological principles. Meacham argues that the potential military and commercial benefits of the Louisiana territory greatly influenced Jefferson's decision. Both historians agree that the Louisiana Purchase dramatically changed the nation, but their interpretations of Jefferson's decision-making process differ significantly.
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