In 1803, The French presented the US with an opportunity to purchase the Louisiana territory.

This purchase not only doubled the size of the US but also allowed poor families access to land and a chance for prosperity.

Thomas Jefferson thought that France might want to control the Mississippi River. So he sent Robert Livingstone and James Monroes to France to negotiate a deal. Surprisingly, they were given the opportunity to buy the whole Louisiana Territory.

James Madison made the purchase, he paid $15 million for 828,00 square miles. And this was one of the grates achievements of Jefferson’s presidency.