Why was the Louisiana Purchase important to the United States?

The Louisiana Purchase was very important to the United States. The United States was concerned that policies other countries developed impacted the ability of people to trade in the West. This was especially true for farmers. Our use of the Mississippi River was restricted, and we weren’t allowed to store products at New Orleans.

The United States decided to offer France $10 million for New Orleans and West Florida. Napoleon, who was planning a major war in Europe, decided to sell us all of the Louisiana Territory for $15 million. This land purchase would double the size of our country. It would also show the people who lived in the West that our government cared about them. We would be able to use the Mississippi River without restrictions, and we could use the port at New Orleans. After some hesitation due to constitutional concerns, President Jefferson agreed to make the Louisiana Purchase.