The Louisiana Purchase is one of the most well-known land purchases in American history. It doubled the size of the United States and was obtained at an incredible bargain from Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted to divest of France's holdings in America in order to fund his battles in Europe. U.S. President Thomas Jefferson was only too eager to take advantage of this unique and unprecedented opportunity to increase the size and power of the United States.
However, some people were against the purchase, believing Jefferson overstepped his Constitutional authority as president in buying the land. This debate over Jefferson's presidential powers as defined by the Constitution led to the entire purchase being quite controversial at the time, though it is generally considered to be a good thing today. Here is why the Louisiana Purchase caused controversy and how it was eventually settled.
Read Full Article »