Thomas Jefferson Vs Louisiana Purchase

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I have started to see various patterns, throughout this early period in America, of what has helped the country prosper as a free nation and what has weakened it. During Jefferson’s presidency, he promoted Republican values and also believed the public interest, rights of the States, and the people were the greatest strengths to the nation. His ideals have helped strengthen freedom for Americans for generations after his presidency and continue to resonate with the American people. One significant accomplishment during his administration was the purchase of Louisiana territory for fifteen million dollars in 1803 (Palmer). The Louisiana Purchase more than doubled the size of the U.S. at the time. Although the amount of land obtained was unknown, Jefferson felt that acquiring the territory would promote the nation’s security and secure the nation’s borders (Palmer). After Jefferson received the territory he sent out Lewis and Clark to explore the extent of the purchase which provided valuable knowledge and extensive amounts of information on the geography, plants and animals, and Indian tribes in the land west …show more content…
As the French Revolution continued, American ships were being attacked by both the British and French. The U.S. wanted to remain neutral because it was unable to protect the ships and did not want to start a war. As a result, Jefferson instituted the Embargo Act in 1807, which stopped American goods from being exported to foreign countries (Palmer). This halted commerce in the U.S. and eventually sparked the War of 1812. The time period during the war saw the first industrial revolution caused by the shipping crisis that forced Americans to look more towards their own nation to manufacture goods instead of relying on foreign trade. The war was also considered the second war for independence because America was able to defeat the largest world power at the time