The Louisianna Purchase

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The Louisiana Purchase immensely increased the United States by two times it land area in April 15, 1803. This historical transaction introduced different backgrounds, citizens, and an abundance of natural resources. The Louisiana Purchase for plenty of United States citizens at the time was the golden myth that illustrated the American dream, and was thought of as the land that defined westernization. I believe that this was probably the greatest land acquisition of all time.

Many native, French and Spanish peoples who occupied the purchase before acquirement by the United States had troubled emotions about how American government and society might affect their traditions and land. These sparse pre- Louisiana Purchase European settlers were mostly French, reflecting France's influence in the region since the early eighteenth century. In 1762, France ceded the region to Spain, but the change in government had little effect on the daily lives of Louisiana Territory residents.

When France regained the Louisiana Territory in 1800, Spanish officials continued to control the territory. The transfer wasn't even announced to America until 1802.

The Louisiana Purchase carved out many of today's current states. The region, which is now the state of Missouri, was then part of Upper Louisiana. The Louisiana Purchase included far more than the present-day state of Louisiana. In fact the Louisiana Purchase would ultimately include about 828,000 square miles. Out of this land Americans would carve the present day states of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Ten European countries could easily fit into the land acquired.

President Thomas Jefferson at the time of the purchase already planned a trade and exploration expedition through the western regions of the continent to the Pacific. He planned a mission into the foreign territory. American trade interests became even...