apr 30, 1804 - Louisiana Purchase
Description:
Although Jefferson didn't want a strong centralized government, he wanted to expand the territory of the US so that the price of land went down and every family could have the land for a farm in order to be self sustaining. So, when Napoleon offered to sell the enirety of the Louisiana Territory to the US for 15 million dollars, the Jefferson siezed the oppertunity to expand. France had taken the territory from Spain only a few years prior however couldn't keep up with the cost of the territory due to Napoleon's war. Therefore, when the US sent James Monroe to bargain for the port of New Orleans for 10 million dollars, the French offered the entire territory for 15 million dollars. Even though it wasn't fully sanctioned in the constitution, Jefferson went through with the deal anyway claiming it was for the greater good of the US.
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/constitution/section7/page/2/
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Taylor and Zach
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