Overview of the Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a critical event in US history. In the year 1803, the United States and France enacted a land deal which resulted in the acquisition of eight hundred and twenty-seven square miles of land by the US. The land was situated on the west side of the Mississippi River . In addition, the US offered fifteen million dollars to France for the land . The Westward expansion of the US was expected to augment American commerce, especially in the port of New Orleans. During his first presidential term, Jefferson was able to acquire what he referred to as an extension of the territory which was gravely needed due to the dramatic increase of Americans.
Initially, Jefferson had fought Alexander Hamilton in an attempt to establish a national bank. Soon after, Jefferson and James Madison formed an alliance which was targeted at drafting resolutions that inhibited federalists from expanding the central government ( Lass, 2015 ). Jefferson and Madison argued that states needed the liberty to make decisions on whether the actions of the federal government were constitutional or otherwise. In addition, they agreed that nothing in the constitution allowed the government to annex and govern another territory.
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During the time, Federalists believed the procurement of an additional territory would impact massive political power as well as an imbalance . It was, therefore, crucial for Jefferson to develop a government for the large territory and seek the approval of the Congress . The acquisition of the new land led to its division into Orleans and Louisiana. In addition, no self-government was present for the new land, which necessitated the development of a more permanent government. The discussions on this urgent matter took place from January to March in the year 1804 ( Lee, 2017 ). This government was anticipated to stay in control until the territories attracted a vast number of white settlers to be assigned with a regular territorial administrative body. Jefferson expanded the central government’s constitutional powers in less than a year, something that Washington and Adams had failed to do in twelve years.
Source Analysis
“Louisiana purchase exhibit pulls out all stops,” is an example of a primary source that is used to make a comprehensive analysis of the Louisiana Purchase in America’ history. The article provides critical raw information which can be used for research. The information provided is a significant part of the documentary heritage of the people of America. An overview of the original copy of the treaty of cession is also contained in the article which is of utmost significance in this particular research. Moreover, the source offers the researcher with comprehensive information on the reasons why the Louisiana Purchase took place.
“Thomas Jefferson’s deal flexed America’s muscle go for it: He delivered the stunning Louisiana Purchase,” is an example of a secondary source that is employed in this research. The source not only examines the purpose of the Louisiana Purchase but also highlights the significance of this event to America. The two articles are very relevant for use in this study. Nonetheless, they fail to give comprehensive details and information to support the points’ that the authors wish to put across. This is the major drawback of both the primary and the secondary source used in this essay.
How the Sources Relate or Contribute to the Chosen Topic
The sources are very relevant to the topic of study since they provide information that impacts a more profound understanding of the Louisiana Purchase, its causes, significance, and effects. Louisiana Purchase exhibit pulls out all stops (2015), contends that one of the most influential documents in American history was the cession treaty, otherwise known as the Louisiana Purchase Treaty. Furthermore, the article argues that the Louisiana Purchase goes beyond just signing a land deal. According to Louisiana Purchase exhibit pulls out all stops (2015), the land deal was more like a tale of international intrigue, political schemes, as well as intimidations of war and secession. Moreover, one of the main effects of the acquisition of this new land as highlighted in the text is the expansion of the US into one of the greatest nations globally. The article also puts a lot of emphasis on the vitality of the city of St Louis in the aftermath of the Louisiana Purchase.
Louisiana Purchase exhibit pulls out all stops (2015) argues that the city played a critical role in the development of the new national identities that emerged after the deal was struck. Apparently, the citizens of Louisiana rose up and challenged the notion of American nationality and citizenship, which had drastically redefined the city. Despite the fact that the article provides a logical reason for the Louisiana Purchase, it fails to give detailed accounts and explanations of the mentioned events. Furthermore, it does not provide a link between some of the information provided with the Louisiana Purchase. For instance, St Louis is said to have played a critical part during this event. Nonetheless, no further information is given to link the city to the events of the territories purchase, or rather, to demonstrate the city’s significance at the time. As a result, most of the information that is given is deemed irrelevant, despite its relevance to the topic.
Fox (2012) gives insight on how Jefferson doubled the size of the United States with just fifteen million dollars. The author argues that the Louisiana Purchase was not a big deal at the time. The issue of concern was the port of New Orleans. Apparently, buying this territory was a strategy of acquiring the most valuable thing at that time, which was the port of New Orleans. Without the port, the acquisition of the land, and the Ohio River was insignificant. Fox (2012) argues that the Ohio-Mississippi transportation network was a crucial one.
It also argues that without this territory, America would not be in the position it is in today since even the St. Louis Oswego border would have been separated from the US. Furthermore, Fox (2012) contends that America was on the brink of becoming a mid-sized nation, confined to the East coast, prior to the purchase of Louisiana. The author further attributes the US acquisition of Louisiana to Aedes aegypti, a mosquito which not only spread yellow fever to Napoleon's army, but also weakened it, and inhibited Napoleon from sending his army to Louisiana. With a weak and significantly smaller force, Napoleon requested the US for the one thing that he was in dire need of in exchange for Louisiana, which was money.
The article contends that the deal was the most effective way in which America prevented itself from the most significant source of danger, Napoleon's army. The yellow fever epidemic is considered to be a pivotal event in American history. The outbreak resulted in massive fatalities in the French forces, which was the primary reason behind Napoleon’s suppression of his uprising. The yellow fever epidemic inhibited the establishment of a significant holding at the Mississippi valley. The massive numbers of yellow fever deaths are attributed to the deficiency of prevention and control measures. The emergence of the disease greatly favored the US .Fox (2012) provides researchers with reasonable information to justify the actions of America when striking a deal with France. T
The Louisiana Purchase is one of the major causes of America’s great size, as well as its economic growth . The deal impacted the acquisition of the port of New Orleans by the US which was and still is, considered a gold mine since it is the means through which trade occurs. Based on the information provided in the sources, America would not be listed among the largest nations if the deal was not made with France. The Louisiana Purchase is, therefore, an event that should be studied extensively, as a significant part of American history.
References
Fox, B. (2012, Jun 01). Thomas Jefferson’s deal flexed America’s muscle go for it: He delivered the stunning Louisiana Purchase. Investor's Business Daily Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1017887913?accountid=4504
Lass, W. E. (2015). The Northern Boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. Great Plains Quarterly , 35 (1), 27-50.
Lee, R. (2017). Accounting for Conquest: The Price of the Louisiana Purchase of Indian Country. Journal of American History , 103 (4), 921-942.
Louisiana Purchase exhibit pulls out all stops. (2015, Jan 01). TCA Regional News. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1641351964?accountid=45049
