It is easy to wonder if Thomas Jefferson would ever regret the means by which he would be remembered, for what is regarded by many as the greatest purchase in America’s history. Thomas Jefferson’s moral dilemma of The Louisiana Purchase came from the fact that he had supported and believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution. He worried whether the purchase would be legal, believing that he was not authorized to make the purchase, but did so anyway. One can also easily wonder how a man of great integrity could go against his own philosophy and strict interpretation of the United States constitution. By making the purchase of the Louisiana territory, Thomas Jefferson had to set aside all his beliefs and principles for the greater
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minister to France Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson stated, “The day that France takes possession of New Orleans…we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation.” (www.history.com/topics/louisiana-purchase) Thomas Jefferson suggested purchasing New Orleans from Spain, but Spain had secretly given Louisiana back to France under Napoleon Bonaparte. This frustrated Jefferson because he knew that Europe was increasingly growing and becoming the strongest military. Thomas Jefferson wanted to avoid all conflict with foreign countries. This would be difficult in his eyes because Europe had the largest landholding in North America at the time. Thomas Jefferson’s goal for America was to be able to expand, and to create an “empire of liberty.” (Boyer et al. 2011) Soon after, Jefferson sent Livingston to France to try to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana territory. At first they refused, but after James Monroe was also sent they decided to agree, especially after Napoleon Bonaparte decided that Louisiana was not worth its cost. The Louisiana territory was 828,000 square miles. According to Funk & Wagnall 's New Encyclopedia, the price agreed on was $15 million, of which $11,250,000 was to be paid outright by the U.S. to France. The balance of $3,750,000 was to be paid by the U.S. to its citizens to satisfy their claims against France. …show more content…
According to author Tim Faulkner, “The expedition opened up new territory for the fur and lumber trade and pointed out the best lands for future settlement and agriculture. It allowed a young country to blossom into greatness, because more land had equated to more resources and therefore, more power.” (http://history.howstuffworks.com) The country learned many things through this expedition. This expedition helped us discover new land, waterways, trade, plants, animals, and people. The expedition of Lewis and Clark was once of great importance, but most importantly, it helped set the stage for new settlement of the west. So, because of the purchase of the Louisiana territory, the United States not only grew, but in my opinion it helped become to what is still to this day, the greatest county. All because of one man’s significant decision to go against what he believed in. This just proves that great things can happen by taking a
minister to France Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson stated, “The day that France takes possession of New Orleans…we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation.” (www.history.com/topics/louisiana-purchase) Thomas Jefferson suggested purchasing New Orleans from Spain, but Spain had secretly given Louisiana back to France under Napoleon Bonaparte. This frustrated Jefferson because he knew that Europe was increasingly growing and becoming the strongest military. Thomas Jefferson wanted to avoid all conflict with foreign countries. This would be difficult in his eyes because Europe had the largest landholding in North America at the time. Thomas Jefferson’s goal for America was to be able to expand, and to create an “empire of liberty.” (Boyer et al. 2011) Soon after, Jefferson sent Livingston to France to try to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana territory. At first they refused, but after James Monroe was also sent they decided to agree, especially after Napoleon Bonaparte decided that Louisiana was not worth its cost. The Louisiana territory was 828,000 square miles. According to Funk & Wagnall 's New Encyclopedia, the price agreed on was $15 million, of which $11,250,000 was to be paid outright by the U.S. to France. The balance of $3,750,000 was to be paid by the U.S. to its citizens to satisfy their claims against France. …show more content…
According to author Tim Faulkner, “The expedition opened up new territory for the fur and lumber trade and pointed out the best lands for future settlement and agriculture. It allowed a young country to blossom into greatness, because more land had equated to more resources and therefore, more power.” (http://history.howstuffworks.com) The country learned many things through this expedition. This expedition helped us discover new land, waterways, trade, plants, animals, and people. The expedition of Lewis and Clark was once of great importance, but most importantly, it helped set the stage for new settlement of the west. So, because of the purchase of the Louisiana territory, the United States not only grew, but in my opinion it helped become to what is still to this day, the greatest county. All because of one man’s significant decision to go against what he believed in. This just proves that great things can happen by taking a