opportunity: the Louisiana purchase of 1803
In 1800, the United States was new and fragile democracy in the world dominated by two contending great powers: Britain and France. In 1799, general Napoleon Bonaparte seized the control of France and began a career of military conquest. America was protected, not because of strong military force which was tiny compared to great powers, but because of great distance of Atlantic Ocean. France and Britain did not fought on American soil during war, as they did previously in Seven Year War. Napoleon Bonaparte looked first at the Caribbean where he planed to reconquer Haiti, first independent black nation, reenslave it's people and use the rich profits from sugar to finance his European Wars. He executed his plan by sending 30,000 troops to conquer Haiti. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson was alarmed when he learned the secret policy of French-Spanish about Louisiana territory.
Jefferson did not opposed the attack on blacks in Haiti. In summer of 1802, Jefferson instructed Robert Livingston to negotiate and buy the New Orleans and the surrounding area for $2-10 million from Napoleon to expand the American territory. Napoleon suddenly offered the Louisiana territory, including the crucial port of New Orleans, to the Americans for $15 Million. Robert Livingston on the behalf of Jefferson bought the entire Louisiana territory from Napoleon for $15 million. In the map shown above, Louisiana territory was purchase by Jefferson to become a supreme leader of United States however it caused severe problems to America economically and socially.
Jefferson did not opposed the attack on blacks in Haiti. In summer of 1802, Jefferson instructed Robert Livingston to negotiate and buy the New Orleans and the surrounding area for $2-10 million from Napoleon to expand the American territory. Napoleon suddenly offered the Louisiana territory, including the crucial port of New Orleans, to the Americans for $15 Million. Robert Livingston on the behalf of Jefferson bought the entire Louisiana territory from Napoleon for $15 million. In the map shown above, Louisiana territory was purchase by Jefferson to become a supreme leader of United States however it caused severe problems to America economically and socially.
WHy did jefferson wanted to buy louisiana territory?
Despite the fact that Thomas Jefferson wanted to expand the United States, he also had intentions to spread his Republican Agrarianism. Yes, Thomas Jefferson desired to make America the "Nation of small farmers" by spreading agrarian rule. He strictly opposed the proposal from federalists of Urbanizing the America. Jefferson's modesty was to spread the republican rule by expanding American soil, which he estimated will help him to gain more political power and support of people. However his prime intention was to crush the Federalist party with republican power and that is why he opposed all the laws that were made by Federalists.
Jefferson thought that it was constitutional for president to buy any territory, But the constitution did not authorize the president to purchase territory and Jefferson had always rigidly insisted on a limited interpretation of executive rights. Jefferson argued that purchase was vital to the nation's republican future. He wrote "By enlarging the empire of liberty, We. . . provide new sources of renovation, should its principles, at any time, degenerate, in those portions of our country which gave them birth" In other words, expansion was essential to liberty. But for African American slaves and Native Americans, the Louisiana Purchase simply increased the scope of their enslavement and destruction.
Jefferson thought that it was constitutional for president to buy any territory, But the constitution did not authorize the president to purchase territory and Jefferson had always rigidly insisted on a limited interpretation of executive rights. Jefferson argued that purchase was vital to the nation's republican future. He wrote "By enlarging the empire of liberty, We. . . provide new sources of renovation, should its principles, at any time, degenerate, in those portions of our country which gave them birth" In other words, expansion was essential to liberty. But for African American slaves and Native Americans, the Louisiana Purchase simply increased the scope of their enslavement and destruction.