Taking a Look at the Louisiana Purchase

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The Louisiana purchase was a very significant event in the United States of America that changed the country we live in today. Since, “1762, Spain had owned the territory of Louisiana, between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains” (Office of the Historian). This purchase led to many great things due to the French now having possession over it. Even though the French sold major land in the Louisiana Purchase, the money gained by France and the land acquired by America was a win for both sides of the deal. Many years before the Louisiana purchase was thought of, this land was owned by several Native American tribes which included men and woman. “Evidence shows they had extensive cultural and economic exchange networks with tribes around them, reaching as far south as Mexico, Central American and the Caribbean. Material goods were traded, as being language, technology, and recreational practices” (The Louisiana Purchase). The Native Americans were good people who were very humble, but unfortunately “they were overwhelmed by the Europeans and disappeared as a distinct group before the 19th century” (The Louisiana Purchase). Panfio de Narvaez led the expedition in 1528 to the Mississippi River mouth. Years had passed and Hernando de Soto did something similar, traveling to the north and the western states of Mississippi then migrated to the Mississippi River traveling to the Gulf of Mexico where they begin to experience great interest in Louisiana. In the 17th century, French and French Canadians were in search of the ability to rule and control the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast, also looking for religion and commercial operations. France claimed many states on both sides of the Mississippi river in order to trade wi... ... middle of paper ... ... a few years to complete discovered various plants, animals, and Native American Tribes that were undisturbed and forgot about before that time. This purchased benefited both sides in the form of money to the French and land going to the United States to continue the growth of their respective countries. Many great things come from the Louisiana Purchase such as the California Gold Rush in the 19th century. It also led to a split in the nation between the north (free states) and the south (slave states) in the form of which of the new states would be free or slave. These different views eventually led to a civil war, but if it wasn’t for the Louisiana purchase, no economical or geographical growth would have occurred. If it wasn’t for the Louisiana Purchase led by Thomas Jefferson, the United States may only still be the 13 colonies we had at first in my opinion

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