Senate Ratifies the Louisiana Purchase: America Doubles in Size
The Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 by a vote of 24 to 7. The deal doubled the size of the United States for $15 million — about 3 cents per acre. Jefferson didn't think the Constitution allowed the federal government to buy territory. He considered pushing for an amendment, then decided speed mattered more than legality. Napoleon needed cash for his European wars.
October 20, 1803
223 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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