LOUISIANA PURCHASE Meaning and
Definition
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The Louisiana Purchase refers to the historic acquisition of a vast territory by the United States from France in 1803. This landmark event significantly expanded the territorial holdings of the young nation and had far-reaching implications for its growth and development.
The Louisiana Purchase encompassed an immense region of approximately 828,000 square miles, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. The acquisition comprised present-day states such as Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Louisiana.
The purchase was negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson's administration with France, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. The agreement was reached in return for a payment of $15 million, which amounted to approximately four cents per acre. This transaction doubled the size of the United States, marking a significant milestone in the nation's westward expansion.
The Louisiana Purchase profoundly transformed American history, providing access to valuable natural resources, fertile agricultural land, and vital waterways. It facilitated the growth of the fur trade, opened up opportunities for westward exploration and settlement, and paved the way for the eventual development of the transcontinental United States. Additionally, it bolstered national security, as control over the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans played a crucial role in trade and transportation.
Overall, the Louisiana Purchase stands as a seminal moment in American history, defining the nation's territorial expansion while shaping its political, economic, and social landscape.
Common Misspellings for LOUISIANA PURCHASE
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Etymology of LOUISIANA PURCHASE
The word "Louisiana Purchase" has a straightforward etymology that reflects its historical context. It is composed of two elements:
1. "Louisiana" refers to the region named after King Louis XIV of France. French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the area in the late 17th century and named it Louisiana in honor of the French monarch.
2. "Purchase" refers to the act of buying or acquiring something. In the case of the Louisiana Purchase, it specifically refers to the acquisition of the vast territory by the United States from France in 1803.
Thus, the term "Louisiana Purchase" simply denotes the acquisition of the Louisiana region by the United States through a purchase agreement with France.
