What territory did the United States purchase from France in 1803?

The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, which was a significant expansion of U.S. territory. This acquisition doubled the size of the country and provided control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, both critical for trade and transportation. The Louisiana Purchase was driven by the desire for land to support westward expansion and offered vast resources and opportunities for agriculture.

The purchase was negotiated under President Thomas Jefferson and involved a payment of $15 million, which was considered a bargain at the time. It opened up a large area for exploration and settlement, leading to further expansion and contributing to the concept of Manifest Destiny, which drove American territorial acquisition in the years that followed. This transaction not only shaped the nation's geography but also had lasting implications for its political and economic development.