In 1803 the United States of America purchased the rights to over 800,000 sq. miles of land owned by France. The U.S. agreed to give France $11.25 million, while cancelling a debt of $3.75 million, to make the total cost $15 million. The calculations for inflation asserted that this would equate to 42 cents per acre in 2011.
On this day December 20th, in 1803, Louisiana Purchase was formally transferred to the U.S. The transfer took place in New Orleans, Louisiana in The Cabildo. The Cabildo served as a government seat for the French and the Spanish. The original was burned down, but in its stead is now a museum.
Thomas Jefferson is the one we have to thank for this massive achievement. It was his push that allowed for the U.S. to double its size overnight. Part of Jefferson’s philosophy was Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny dictated that it was divine will that Americans were to span across the whole continent, from the East coast to the West. Manifest Destiny was used as justification for many wars, and the idea became popular about 40 years down the road during the 1840’s.