3. Louisiana Purchase from France by the U.S.

See all facts 3. Louisiana Purchase from France by the U.S.

Did you know that one of the biggest real estate bargains in history happened in the early 19th century?

The Louisiana Purchase, made by the United States from France in 1803, was arguably the biggest real estate bargain in history. The US purchased approximately 827,000 square miles, almost doubling the size of the country, from Napoleon Bonaparte for a mere $15 million - that's roughly 4 cents an acre! This mind-boggling deal came about due to geopolitical factors, specifically Napoleon’s need for funds to finance his wars. He decided selling the Louisiana Territory, which France was having difficulties managing anyway, was a win-win proposition. President Thomas Jefferson, perceiving the strategic value of the territory, seized the opportunity. Amazingly, the US government initially wanted to purchase only New Orleans and its adjacent lands, but Napoleon offered them the entire Louisiana territory. This was a smart move, as the revenue from the sale helped fund France's military campaigns, and it enabled the US to grow leaps and bounds both geographically and economically. With that massive transaction, the landscape of North America was redrawn forever, establishing the United States as a continental power.

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