An overview
The united states won the battle of New Orleans against Europe, and Louisiana officially became the 18th state of the US ON 30th April 1812. However, the western Louisiana regions were in constant disputes with the Spanish texas till the ratification of the adam onis treaty of 1819.
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In the san Ildefonso treaty of 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte acquired the territory of Louisiana from Spain. However, he kept this a secret for the next few years since he had ambitions to build a substantial colonial empire in the united states. He failed in his attempt to conquer Saint Domingue and had to withdraw his troops in 1803. soon after, Haiti declared its independence, and napoleon had to give up his desire to become the American emperor. He sold his territory of Louisiana to the US in the Louisiana Purchase treaty of 1803.
The purchase of Louisiana by the united states from the french government is considered the most incredible real estate deal in the entire history of humankind. After much bargaining, the US finally approved to pay 15 milliondollars to France for the Louisiana territory.
The purchase happened in 1803, under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. Louisiana was spread across 828000 square miles stretching from the rocky mountains to the Mississippi river and from the border of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The Louisiana territory consisted of thirteen states. By purchasing the region, the united states became almost double its current size and hence, one of the most powerful nations worldwide.
The first half of the 19th century turned out to be the golden period for New Orleans. It was the biggest port city in the US. The primary product of the united states, cotton, was exported and imported through this port. The port of New Orleans had earned a total revenue of more than 54 million through trade in 1835. around 400 steamboats were traveling across the Mississippi river.
