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

The United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, which is known as the Louisiana Purchase. This significant event was not just a land acquisition; it essentially doubled the size of the United States at that time, adding approximately 828,000 square miles of territory. The purchase was negotiated for $15 million, a remarkable deal considering the vastness of the land included, which stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The acquisition facilitated westward expansion and exploration, which were driven by the nation's growing desire for resources and land.

In addition, the Louisiana Purchase was a strategic move that secured control over the important port city of New Orleans and the Mississippi River, crucial for trade and transportation. This act significantly shaped U.S. history by promoting the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. The Louisiana Purchase is a pivotal moment in American history that had lasting implications for the nation's development.