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History Of The Louisiana Purchase

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Louisiana Purchase: America’s Single Largest Land Deal
The Louisiana Purchase was by far the single largest land deal in the United States, occupying the western half of the Mississippi River basin. Purchased from France in 1803 at less than three cents per acre for 828,000 square miles, it was the greatest land bargain in American history (Blumberg, 100). By doubling the size of the United States, the Louisiana Territory allowed the country to strengthen itself, materially and strategically, granting access to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico for trading (Harriss). Although the purchase had a great influence on American history as a whole, Americans and Louisianans must be aware of the impact the Louisiana Purchase had on Louisiana history, hence the name.
Tracing back to the origin of the Louisiana Purchase lies a rich and indispensable story. After the Seven Years War, Spain gained control of New Orleans, although many immigrants and Americans were settling in the territory. Driven to negotiate with the United States in fear of an imminent alliance between the United States and Britain, Spain had to ensure peace with the United States. In 1795, the Treaty of San Lorenzo, also known as Pinckney's Treaty with Spain, allowed American merchants "right of deposit" in New Orleans, in other words, allowing duty-free transport through the port of New Orleans (Wagner). In addition to duty-free transport, Pinckney’s Treaty also gave Americans the right to travel

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