Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France in 1803. For $15 million, the United States purchased almost 828,000 square miles of land. The purchase of Louisiana is important because it gave the United States power of the Mississippi River and the port city of New Orleans. Both of these locations were used by farmers to ship and pay for their crops. The 15 states were eventually created from the land deal, which is considered one of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest attainments.

Jefferson took a stern, verbatim view of the constitutional powers, which meant that the Constitution has to define powers reserved for the President and the Executive Branch.

The ability to purchase the property from foreign governments was not amid these powers recorded in Article IV of the Constitution - a fact that his political opponents, the Federalists, were keen to point out the President. Alternatively, Jefferson regarded a constitutional amendment as the only way to conclude the agreement with France.

Get quality help now
WriterBelle
WriterBelle
checked Verified writer

Proficient in: History

star star star star 4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

In 1803, he wrote to John Dickinson: “The General Government has no powers but such as the Constitution gives it.” “It has not given it the power of holding foreign territory, and still less of incorporating it into the Union. An amendment of the Constitution seems necessary for this.”

There were many advantages and disadvantages of the Louisiana Purchase. The advantages were that it enlarged the size of the United States, increasing the size of the U.S. to other countries. The U.S. gained control of more land for agriculture and natural resources.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

The disadvantages are that the United States had to guard and shield a nation twice as large as before. They also had to better ways of proceeding into the new territory.

Many people either oppose or support the Louisiana Purchase. Personally, I think it was a good idea - I support it. First, it guaranteed Western Expansion, which was pivotal to Jefferson’s vision of the country. Second, it would ensure Americans' space to expand socially and economically without needing to wage war against European powers to do so. Finally, it united many people and states.

Even though I support it, there are a few reasons people may oppose it. The first one is that New England Federalists had their political power reduced. Second, it did not follow a strict interpretation at the Constitution - which even Jefferson subscribed to. The last reason is that the move contradicted Jefferson’s commitment to reduce the national debt. These are a few reasons some may oppose the purchase of Louisiana.

The U.S. wanted Louisiana because American settlements depended upon river transport to get their goods to market since overland trade to the east was expensive and impractical. The U.S. had many great benefits when purchasing Louisiana. The greatest benefit for the U.S. in purchasing Louisiana was expanding the country’s borders. This allowed for more land to be used for economic benefit and population expansion. This also allowed access to the port of New Orleans for the economic benefits of trade.

Updated: Dec 26, 2023
Essay's Scoring Result:
Expert's Assessment
The essay presents a concise overview of the Louisiana Purchase, discussing its historical significance, advantages, disadvantages, and differing opinions. The structure is clear, with well-organized paragraphs. The author successfully integrates historical facts and quotes to support their points. However, there are some minor issues with sentence structure and grammar. The essay maintains readability and effectively communicates the author's perspective on the purchase, highlighting its benefits for the United States. Overall, it provides a solid analysis of the historical event.
How can you enhance this essay?
Consider enhancing sentence variety for a smoother flow. Ensure consistent use of verb tenses. Break down complex sentences for clarity. In the historical analysis, provide more context and delve into opposing perspectives for a comprehensive view. Clarify the statement on Jefferson's view of a constitutional amendment, and elaborate on the Federalists' objections. When discussing advantages and disadvantages, elaborate on the challenges faced in governing the expanded territory. Avoid repetition, particularly in stating personal support for the Louisiana Purchase. Strengthen the conclusion by summarizing key points. Additionally, refine grammar for precision and coherence.
photo_author
This essay's assessment was conducted by:
Michael O'Reilly
Cite this page

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Louisiana Purchase. (2021, Mar 05). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-the-louisiana-purchase-essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Louisiana Purchase essay
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment