Critical Thinking
The 1803 purchase of Louisiana from France had a profound effect on America; it not only changed the geography of the country but also its social, political and economic pillars. The purchase, which occurred during the term of President Thomas Jefferson, had the effect of almost doubling the landmass of America (Fleming, 46). It would be interesting to evaluate America's continental and global position had the purchase not taken place. This is especially the case given that the country would have had access to the Gulf of Mexico hence denying farmers on the frontier an opportunity to engage in international trade.
It is also certain that the presence of France as America's next neighbor would have huge implications for both countries politically and economically. This is especially the case given that France under Napoleon would not have been able to assert their authority over Louisiana after Spain had ceded it to them (Fleming, 59). It would certainly have been a potential source of conflict. Ultimately, it was Thomas Jefferson's wit and Napoleon's abeyance of the territory that led to America acquiring Louisiana hence forestalling the unknown.
Argument
In 1800, Louisiana's ownership changed hands when Napoleon entered into a secret treaty with Spain that saw the latter hand back possession of the territory. Jefferson got wind of the secret deal and immediately recognized that it would pose a threat to America's settlements in the western frontier of Louisiana, which used the Mississippi River as an outlet for its produce to the Gulf of Mexico. When Spain's King Charles IV came to Louisiana for the official handover ceremony, the Spanish administrator Juan Ventura Morales, who had been seconded by France, arbitrarily ended America's right to use the New Orleans's Port. He argued that the 1795 treaty that granted America access to the port had expired (Cerami, 101).
At the time, Jefferson's concerns were more about protecting America's commercial interests rather than territorial expansion. It came against the backdrop of Americans on the western frontier threatening to take New Orleans by force. Such an action would have inevitably led to war between America and France. Keen to avoid war, Jefferson consequently sent Livingstone to Paris to negotiate for a possible purchase of New Orleans. However, over time, it became increasingly clear that Napoleon's intention was to use Louisiana as a springboard in expanding his dominance in the West. That posed a challenge to America. As a result, Jefferson sent James Monroe as minister extraordinary to Paris to assist Livingstone in the negotiations for not only the purchase of New Orleans but also an expanded stretch reaching Florida to secure a part of the East Coast for America.
However, by the time Monroe arrived in Paris, Napoleon had already changed his mind and had decided to sell the whole territory of Louisiana. This was as a result of the weakness of his troops in Saint-Domingue, which was facing a revolution and an outbreak of disease. All these factors led to Napoleon losing interest in Louisiana. On the 2nd of May 1803, Livingstone and Monroe signed the agreement to purchase Louisiana on behalf of the United States of America. It had been purchased at a favorable bargain price of fifteen million dollars.
Political and Socio-Economic Impact
Back at home, the deal had profound political effects. Many in the Federalist Party led opposition to the purchase arguing that the unilateral decision to purchase Louisiana was akin to usurping his presidential powers. That was the case since the U.S Constitution did not have express provisions on territorial expansion through either annexation or purchase (Lawson & Seidman, 97). Opposition to buying Louisiana was louder from politicians that supported the idea of cessation of the states. However, in the end, support for the purchase was overwhelming. Furthermore, it had the effect of elevating America to the state of a continental powerhouse in the western hemisphere (Herring, 74).
Economically, the purchase of Louisiana was a great win for the U.S. First, the fifteen million dollar price tag was a cheap bargain for the country, which ultimately almost doubled its territorial landmass. The territory was rich in minerals and arable land that would later prove vital for the rapid expansion of the U.S economy in the 19th century. It is these positive commercial prospects that made Jefferson send an expedition even before the official handover to map the territory to facilitate the exploitation of its resources. Furthermore, America's goal of having access to the Gulf of Mexico through the Mississippi River had been achieved and as a result securing the lifeline of Americans in the western frontier of Louisiana.
Personal Responsibility
The Louisiana Purchase served to highlight the character and leadership abilities of Jefferson. Despite opposition by the Federalist Party based on the constitutionality of the decision, Jefferson asserted that his power to negotiate treaties as granted by the constitution made his action legal. Keen to avoid a conflict with the French, he chooses to negotiate with Napoleon for he understood all too well the costs of war. His ability to delegate full authority to Monroe regarding the negotiations illustrated his leadership abilities as well as unique decision-making skills.
However, it showed his underlying weakness in that he was willing to bend his principles when it suited him. That is especially the case given that as a constructionist he firmly believed that people have a right to determine their sovereignty, yet the purchase did not give the people of Louisiana that opportunity. However, it is illustrative of the conflicting choices that a person in a position of power has to make (Cerami, 156). All in all, the Louisiana Purchase not only altered the shape of America but also the course of history which makes Thomas Jefferson one of the greatest presidents America has ever had.
Works Cited
Adams, Henry. History of the United States of America (1801–1817). vol.2: During the First
Administration of Thomas Jefferson. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011
Cerami, Charles A. Jefferson's Great Gamble. Chicago, Sourcebooks, 2003
Fleming, Thomas J. The Louisiana Purchase. Newyork, John Wiley & Sons, 2003
Herring, George. From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1776. Newyork,
Oxford University Press, 2008
Lawson, Gary & Seidman, Guy. The Constitution of Empire: Territorial Expansion and American Legal History. New haven, Yale University Press, 2008
