Louisiana Territory

Thomas Jefferson author of the Declaration of Independence 3 rd president of the United States The Louisiana Purchase was the most important event of his presidency

Safety Commerce Expand our Country Reasons for the Purchase

1.When Spain owned Louisiana it posed no threat to the young U.S. 2.In 1800 Spain gave the La. Territory to France. 2.Jefferson worried Napoleon might attack from the Louisiana Territory Safety

Commerce 1. Farmers up and down the Mississippi used the River to ship products and food 2. Spain allowed the river traffic but would France?

Expansion 1.Growing population 2.Need for new land

Napoleon Would France be able to support and defend La.? Needed money for his war with the British

President Thomas Jefferson appointed him American Minister to France in Jefferson told Livingston to offer Napoleon $2 million for a New Orleans. On April 11, 1803, the France's offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory for fifteen million dollars-- the "most important real estate deal in history". Robert Livingston

James Monroe Jefferson, sent Monroe to Paris to help Livingston. Monroe was told to offer $10 Million Francs for N.O. and West Florida Jefferson added: "All eyes, all hopes, are now fixed on you. for on the event of this mission depends the future destinies of this republic."

Francois Barbé-Marbois First Minister of the Treasury in 1801 of France Encouraged Napoleon to sell Louisiana to pay for his war on the British. He negotiated and implemented the sale of the Louisiana Territory to the Americans for fifteen million dollars- sixty million francs –

Livingston offering to Buy New Orleans.

On April 30, 1803, all parties agreed to the deal.

Napoleon agreeing to the Treaty

William C.C. Claiborne – 1 st Gov. Thomas Jefferson selected William Charles Cole Claiborne, former governor of the Mississippi territory and highest-ranking civilian official in the vicinity, to govern lower Louisiana.

Louisiana Territory 600 million acres cost of less than 3 cents an acre 13 states between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.