Louisiana Purchase Essay
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The beginning of the 19 th century was a tumultuous time for the United States. There was ongoing strife within the country and around the country’s borders. The Reigning president at the time was Thomas Jefferson. One of Jefferson’s most significant acts as president was overseeing the Louisiana Purchase. The “Louisiana Purchase is still the largest land deal in the US history as it involved a $15 million price tag in 1803” (Sloane, 2004).
The transacted land amounted to over eight hundred thousand square miles. Jefferson brokered this deal through two of his ambassadors James Monroe and Robert Livingston. The idea to acquire Louisiana was conceived after the New Orleans port fell under Napoleon Bonaparte’s French territory. The port was of great importance to the US trade and its closure necessitated sending ambassadors to France. It was in this mission that Napoleon agreed to sell not only the New Orleans port but also the entire Louisiana territory.
Before the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson prided himself in being a strict constitutionalist. However, this enormous transaction put a blemish on Jefferson’s record of strict adherence to the constitution. Some people feel that the Louisiana Purchase was conducted within the confines of the United States constitution. This paper will explore the arguments forwarded by both sides of the debate and offer a personal interpretation of the matter.
The argument against Jefferson’s actions is always supported from various angles. Before the transaction was completed, Jefferson expressed fears that it would be deemed unconstitutional. Therefore, he forwarded a constitutional amendment that would eliminate doubts against the constitutionality of the transaction to senate representatives. However, Jefferson received advice against this process because it would take too long and Napoleon could change his mind within this period.
Eventually, Jefferson opted to draw up a constitutional amendment that would give the federal government power to acquire new land on behalf of the people (Les Benedict, 2007). This amendment was ratified by the senate a few months after the Louisiana Purchase was completed. One of the reasons why Jefferson’s actions did not raise a storm in 1803 is because the citizens were pleased with this purchase.
The argument against the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase is founded on the fact that the responsibility of acquiring new territory was not defined in the US constitution. The Louisiana Purchase had a huge impact on the US territory because it doubled its size at the time. The people who claim that Jefferson’s actions were unconstitutional argue that the constitution did not give him the right to acquire new territory (Levin & Chen, 2012).
This means that Jefferson’s actions were not defined by any part of the constitution and this makes them unlawful. The issue under contention is the unconstitutional expansion of territory. This is in spite of the fact that Thomas Jefferson did not assume presidency with any territory-expansion agendas. The Louisiana Purchase was just a series of events that ended with territory expansion.
The people who are of the view that Jefferson acted within the constitution when he acquired the Louisiana territory, use the tenth amendment to support their argument. According to the tenth amendment, both states and citizens have the right to carry out any actions that are not disallowed by the constitution.
Jefferson’s actions fall under this category. The people who fault Jefferson’s actions do so using the argument that his actions were not defined by the constitution. However, his actions were not disallowed in the US constitution and they are therefore legitimized by the tenth amendment. The group supporting Jefferson’s actions feels that the constitutionalist’s actions never violated his beloved constitution.
The argument against the Louisiana Purchase constitutionality is pegged on the lack of a constitutional clause that allows governments to increase territory through any means. This argument would be void if the Louisiana Purchase occurred today.
However, the main purpose of the fresh constitution of 1803 was to ensure that the government could not intrude the citizens’ lives. Therefore, expansion of territory could qualify as an intrusion of people’s lives. Jefferson was an avid supporter of this notion. By using these two precedents, it would be easy for anyone to castigate Jefferson.
Nevertheless, constitutionality is not judged by notions but by what is expressed through writing. This means that Jefferson was still shielded by the tenth amendment. The amendment legalizes Jefferson’s actions because the rest of the constitution does not make them illegal. In addition, using the principle of notions, one can argue that the Louisiana Purchase was ‘accidental’. Jefferson’s actions were not pre-planned and therefore he was not taking advantage of the tenth amendment.
Initially, Jefferson had sent two ambassadors to France to negotiate a possible treaty with France. The treaty was supposed to involve the exchange of the Florida territory with the New Orleans port but it eventually became about territory expansion. Jefferson considered this transaction a great opportunity for America and he opted to go ahead with the purchase.
The Louisiana Purchase has led to one of the oldest debates concerning the constitutionality of a president’s actions. Even though both sides of the debate make valid claims, it is clear that no constitutional clauses were violated. This debate is likely to continue mostly because of the significance of Louisiana Purchase in the US history.
Les Benedict, M. (2007). The blessings of liberty: a concise history of the Constitution of the United States . New York, NY: Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.
Levin, R. Z., & Chen, P. (2012). Rethinking the constitution–treaty relationship. International Journal of Constitutional Law, 10 (1), 242-260.
Sloane, W. M. (2004). The world aspects of the Louisiana Purchase. The American Historical Review, 9 (3), 507-521.
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IvyPanda. (2018, December 19). Louisiana Purchase. https://ivypanda.com/essays/louisiana-purchase/
"Louisiana Purchase." IvyPanda , 19 Dec. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/louisiana-purchase/.
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Benefit of The Louisiana Purchase
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Published: Mar 16, 2024
Words: 718 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read
Table of contents
Facilitation of westward expansion, control of the mississippi river, access to valuable resources.
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The Strategic Significance and Lasting Impact of the Louisiana Purchase
This essay about the Louisiana Purchase, completed in 1803, explores its significance as a major land acquisition that doubled the size of the United States. It discusses the strategic and economic reasons behind the purchase, the negotiations led by Monroe and Livingston, and the impact on American expansion. The essay also highlights the exploration efforts of Lewis and Clark and the long-term effects on the nation’s development, economy, and cultural integration.
How it works
Purchasing Louisiana, dokonane in 1803, stands, how one of the most substantial land acquisitions in American history. But monumental agreement between the united states and France not only doubled the size of young people but and had far-reaching values for his economic, political, and social development. This essay investigates key facts about Purchase of Louisiana, distinguishing his strategic value and lasting operating on the united states.
Territory of Louisiana was foremost wide expansion of land measure of the River of Mississippi, covering 828,000 square miles approximately.
This territory was foremost under French control before that, to be given to Spain in 1762. However, in a collusion, what writes 1800, Spain renewed earth of France under guidance Napoleon Bonaparte. A strategic time-table and productive earth territory did it unusually valuable, attracting the matter of a few European plenary powers and united states.
A catalyst for Purchase of Louisiana was the growing caring above American access to the River of Mississippi and port of new Orlean. These waterways were vital for a freight, especially for farmers in western territories. In 1802, when Spain, under French influence, abolished American access to new Orlean, President Foma Jefferson admitted the necessity of providing of these routes. He authorised James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, to negotiate with France, foremost aiming acquisitions new Orlean and nearby earth.
To the surprise of the American mediators, Napoleon offered, to sell complete Territory of Louisiana. The French leader ran into placing of soldiery money from wars in Europe and Haiti of Revolution, doing a sale to territory a practical decision gives out funds. on April, 30, 1803, Monroe and Livingston signed an agreement, accordant to purchase territory for $15 million that equates thick with four cents for an acre. This acquisition doubled the size of the states united the day before in the evening, fishing out his recesses distances westward to Rocky Mountains and from Bay of Mexico to the Canadian border.
Purchasing Louisiana had deep effects on the united states. Economically, then opened wide treatises to productive earth for agriculture, encouraging increase of gospodarki, what Jefferson and second guidance presented . Territory was rich in natural resources, by the way the forests, minerals, and wild-life that assisted national riches and development in addition. Politically, acquisition moved balance of powers within the limits of country. Then propped up influence of the western states and territories, encouraging sent westward expansion and concept of Obvious Fate faith, that the American settlers were appointed, to broaden through a continent.
The exploration and mapping of the new territory were essential for understanding its potential. President Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) to explore the newly acquired land. Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the expedition provided valuable information about the geography, natural resources, and native inhabitants of the region. Their journey paved the way for future exploration and settlement, contributing to the westward expansion of the United States.
In conclusion, the Louisiana Purchase was a transformative event in American history. It not only doubled the size of the nation but also set the stage for economic prosperity, political power shifts, and cultural integration. The acquisition of this vast territory demonstrated the United States’ growing ambitions and ability to negotiate on the global stage. As a pivotal moment in the nation’s development, the Louisiana Purchase continues to be a testament to the foresight and strategic acumen of its leaders, shaping the course of American history for generations to come.
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Collection A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates 1774 to 1875
The louisiana purchase.
Legislative Timeline - 1802 to 1807
The Lousiana Purchase: A Legislative Timeline has been moved to the Research Guides platform
IMAGES
COMMENTS
The Louisiana Purchase Napoleonic France Acquires Louisiana. On October 1, 1800, within 24 hours of signing a peace settlement with the United States, First Consul of the Republic of France Napoleon Bonaparte, acquired Louisiana from Spain by the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso.
In conclusion, the Louisiana Purchase was a watershed moment in American history. It epitomized the nation's expansionist aspirations and strategic acumen. The acquisition not only transformed the physical landscape of the United States but also had profound political, social, and economic implications.
The Louisiana Purchase has led to one of the oldest debates concerning the constitutionality of a president’s actions. Even though both sides of the debate make valid claims, it is clear that no constitutional clauses were violated.
Conclusion. In conclusion, the Louisiana Purchase was a landmark event that had profound and lasting impacts on the United States. It facilitated westward expansion, thereby shaping the nation's demographic and cultural landscape.
Conclusion. The Louisiana Purchase brought about numerous benefits for the United States, including the facilitation of westward expansion, the securing of control of the Mississippi River, and access to valuable resources.
The Louisiana Purchase was the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States from France in 1803. The U.S. paid fifty million dollars and a cancellation of debts worth eighteen million dollars which averages to less than three cents per acre.
This essay discusses the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and its significant impact on American history. It highlights how this land acquisition doubled the size of the United States, boosting its economy by providing fertile agricultural land and control over the Mississippi River.
In conclusion, the Louisiana Purchase was a transformative event in American history. It not only doubled the size of the nation but also set the stage for economic prosperity, political power shifts, and cultural integration.
The Louisiana Purchase Napoleonic France Acquires Louisiana On October 1, 1800, within 24 hours of signing a peace settlement with the United States, First Consul of the Republic of France Napoleon Bonaparte, acquired Louisiana from Spain by the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso.
Legislative Timeline - 1802 to 1807. The Lousiana Purchase: A Legislative Timeline has been moved to the Research Guides platform. https://guides.loc.gov/louisiana-purchase-legislative-timeline/. Articles and Essays. Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Statutes and Documents.