Louisiana Purchase
Historical U.S. territory acquisition (1803)
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 was a pivotal moment in American history when the United States acquired approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France under President Thomas Jefferson. This transaction doubled the nation's size and secured control of the Mississippi River and the strategic port of New Orleans. The purchase was negotiated by American diplomats James Monroe and Robert Livingston with French representatives, following Napoleon's abandonment of colonial ambitions in North America after the Haitian Revolution. The territory, named after King Louis XIV of France, extended from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. This acquisition fundamentally shaped American westward expansion and geopolitical power, enabling the subsequent Lewis and Clark Expedition and setting the stage for manifest destiny. The purchase cost $15 million and is considered one of history's greatest real estate deals.
Historical Figure
American
Thinking about the name
Louisiana
French origin
“Derived from the state name, which was itself named in honor of French King Louis XIV, Louisiana is a place name adopted as a given name. When used as a personal name, Louisiana evokes geographical pride, historical consciousness, and distinctive regional identity. It's a bold, unconventional choice suggesting connection to heritage and place.”