The Louisiana Purchase
General Info:
- How much land did the United States buy from France?
The Louisiana Territory. It was more than 2 million sq km (800,000 sq mi) of land extending from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
- When did the purchase take place?
The purchase took place when a treaty signed on Apr. 30, 1803
- What was the total cost?
“The price was 60 million francs, about $15 million; $11,250,000 was to be paid directly, with the balance to be covered by the assumption by the United States of French debts to American citizens.”
- How did the purchase of this land affect the size of the United States?
It doubled its previous size and would be open to more settlements and also granted a free navigation on the Mississippi
- How did the President violate the Constitution by making the Louisiana Purchase?
The “Constitution did not specifically empower the federal government to acquire new territory by treaty.”
