Lousiana Purchase Case

The Louisiana Purchase, the most magnificent real estate bargain in history, resulting in a land total of 3 cents per acre, was unforeseen by the stunned US. The acquisition of this wilderness rooted from fear, desire to expand, free navigation and trade, but also from an avid Napoleonic desire for a European war. Although unpremeditated by both nations, this US westward expansion to an unknown wilderness proved to the States that land could be acquired by peaceful coercion not by instigating warfare.

The early 1800's was the turning point in American history for many motives. The innovational Revolution of 1800 and the bewildering Purchase paved the path to US world denomination. Early on in 1795, the Spanish Pinckney Treaty, had granted the US warehouse rights to the Mississippi; rights that had long been fought for. American agriculturalists, merchants, and traders enjoyed freedom of commerce through the port of New Orleans without having to pay bothersome export duties. This entitlement stimulated American economical and custom growth boosting American morale. Little was the US aware that they would no longer relish this precious privilege and would have to find a way to resolve a vexing future hindrance.

Hindering French Napoleon secretly came to posses a Spanish treaty of resignation to its Louisiana wilderness. This pact revoked the Spanish Pinckney Treaty, antagonizing the pacifist Jefferson. Spain had posed no real threat to the States since America premeditated the conquering of these lands when the time was ripe. Contemporaneous French influence of America's neighboring west, urged Jefferson to find a resolution. Fearful Americans had kept to the policies of Washington's Inaugural Address, but now it faced a dilemma that could change those dogmas.

Debating on the options for solution, Jefferson decided the only way to assert its freedom of navigation in the Mississippi was to negotiate. James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, two Jeffersonian envoys, negotiated with French foreign minister to buy New Orleans and get as much land to the west as possible for a maximum of $10 million. France abruptly declared they would give the entire Louisiana wilderness and its ports for an astounding $15 million. Stunned, America couldn't decline the lucrative offer. The question is, why was France willing to give such a beauty for a mere $15 million?

Impulsive French tyrant Napoleon failed to conquer sugar rich Santo Domingo (Haiti), necessary for the production of Louisianan foodstuffs. At the same time the violent uprising of Toussaint L' Overture, disillusioned the passionate tyrant. He focused on commencing a European war and needed quick cash. The Purchase, Napoleon hoped would make America a great power able to crush ambitious French foe, Britain.

This glorious acquisition and expansion, led a progressive future for America. A feared entangling