In what year was the Louisiana Purchase made?

The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803. The United States was concerned it didn’t have permission from Spain to use the port of New Orleans. Spain cut off this right to us in 1802. When we learned that Spain had transferred Louisiana to France in 1802, we made an offer to France. We offered to buy New Orleans and West Florida for $10 million. Napoleon, however, was interesting in conquering much of Europe. Napoleon decided...

The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803. The United States was concerned it didn’t have permission from Spain to use the port of New Orleans. Spain cut off this right to us in 1802. When we learned that Spain had transferred Louisiana to France in 1802, we made an offer to France. We offered to buy New Orleans and West Florida for $10 million. Napoleon, however, was interesting in conquering much of Europe. Napoleon decided North America wasn’t that important to him. Plus, he needed cash to finance the war in Europe. Therefore, Napoleon offered to sell us all of the Louisiana Territory for $15 million. The Louisiana Territory, if we accepted this offer, would double the size of the United States. Our boundaries would spread to the Rocky Mountains and north to Canada. We would also have control of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. Jefferson hesitated to make the purchase because the Constitution said nothing about the president buying land. Jefferson believed in a strict view of the Constitution. However, Jefferson was convinced to make the deal. The Louisiana Purchase made in 1803.