When President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, he made a decision that would forever alter the destiny of the United States – something Jefferson was acutely aware of at the time. Although beneficial to the growth of the young nation, the deal was highly controversial within the United States when signed, as Jefferson had seemingly overstepped his executive boundaries as established by the Constitution. Neither the acquisition of such a vast tract of land nor the incorporation of the thousands of foreign citizens already inhabiting the territory were expressly permitted by the Constitution. However, Jefferson went ahead with the deal, believing it crucial to the future of the country.
The former Louisiana Territory that today makes up part or all of fifteen American states was originally populated by Native American tribes such as the Choctaw, Apache and …show more content…
French domination in America lasted until 1763, when their defeat in the French and Indian War forced them to cede Florida to Britain on Spain's behalf. France shifted control of Louisiana to Spain as compensation. Spain, in decline as a European power, made little to no effort to develop the territory over the next three decades, while Americans enjoyed vital access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, enhancing transport and trade. When Jefferson took office in 1801, he was confident that both Florida – now back under Spanish control via the Treaty of Paris in 1783 – and Louisiana would eventually become part of the United States. Spain was a notoriously weak nation, and seemed to have no interest in developing either territory. However, everything changed when Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power following the French Revolution. Napoleon was intent on reestablishing an empire in North America, and signed a secret treaty with Spain retroceding control of Louisiana back to France.
The former Louisiana Territory that today makes up part or all of fifteen American states was originally populated by Native American tribes such as the Choctaw, Apache and …show more content…
French domination in America lasted until 1763, when their defeat in the French and Indian War forced them to cede Florida to Britain on Spain's behalf. France shifted control of Louisiana to Spain as compensation. Spain, in decline as a European power, made little to no effort to develop the territory over the next three decades, while Americans enjoyed vital access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, enhancing transport and trade. When Jefferson took office in 1801, he was confident that both Florida – now back under Spanish control via the Treaty of Paris in 1783 – and Louisiana would eventually become part of the United States. Spain was a notoriously weak nation, and seemed to have no interest in developing either territory. However, everything changed when Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power following the French Revolution. Napoleon was intent on reestablishing an empire in North America, and signed a secret treaty with Spain retroceding control of Louisiana back to France.