Louisiana+Purchase

=//**__The Louisiana Purchase__**//= The Louisiana Purchase was an exchange of territory and money between France and the United States in 1803. Napoleon Bonaparte was the leader of France at the time. He hoped to use his possession over the Louisiana Territory to establish a French empire in the new world. Napoleon lost his opportunity to build this empire when he tried to expand his control to the island of Hispaniola. The island was occupied and controlled by Haitian slaves. Napoleon sent an army to overpower the Haitians and take control of the island. His strategy failed though when the French lost thousands of soldiers from fighting and disease. This tremendous loss accompanied by the prospect of war with Great Britain put Napoleon in desperate need of troops and money. He could no longer spare troops to defend his territory in the new world and was forced to consider selling it to the United States. The final agreement between the French and the colonists was 15 million dollars in exchange for 828,000 square miles of land. This was a great deal for the United States but still caused some controversy. The Constitution did not specifically state that the United States could expand its territory through negotiations and treaties. Jefferson decided to overlook this slight dilemma and follow through with the treaty none the less, believing it would be worth it for the country in the long run. 
 * __Historical Context__**

When the Louisiana Purchase first took place, it caused some controversy over the rights given in the Constitution. Still, it was a great source of Nationalism because in the long run it doubled the size of our country and brought people together through pride.
 * __Thesis__**

"Louisiana Purchase: Historical Perspectives, 1682-1815." Louisiana Purchase: Historical Perspectives, 1682-1815. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. [].
 * __Citations__**

"Louisiana Purchase Treaty." America's Historical Documents. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. [].

"Louisiana Purchase." Louisiana Purchase. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. [].