Congress isnÃÂt always mired in gridlock, squabbling and scandal that we see today. Some of the nationÃÂs boldest, most decisive legislation has been passed by congress overwhelmingly. One of the most significant acts in the history of the United States was past when the senate accepted Thomas JeffersonÃÂs questionable interpretation of the Constitution and approved the Louisiana Purchase.
As well as more than doubling the land area of the United States at the time, this purchase allowed for the largest and most productive trade route in North America to this day (the Mississippi River). It also had a huge impact on the rest of the world, specifically specifically Europe, as well as pushing the United States on the scene as a world power.
Before talking about the purchase itself, we must first talk about the history of this area of land. Of course, this area was first settled by the Native Americans, many of whom traded peacefully with the French.
This is a photograph of barges on the Mississippi ...
The original treaty of the Louisiana Purchase
Territory of Louisiana in the early 19th century (...The area between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains was settled by the French in the early 18th century, and through various secret and public treaties, the area traded hands between the French and Spanish until the French regained the land in 1800 in The Treaty of San Ildefonso. However, this treaty was not made public, and the area remained under Spanish control until a power transfer to France was made. (Crawely 123-127).
Also important to note is the fact that the United States had ÃÂright of depositÃÂ in New Orleans through PickneyÃÂs Treaty, which was signed on October 27, 1795, and it lasted (except for a short spurt from 1798-1801) until the French regained control of the area in 1803 . This meant that the U.S. had the right to not only store goods in the port...