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

The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, a significant acquisition that doubled the size of the nation at the time. This purchase was initiated by President Thomas Jefferson, who aimed to secure land for future westward expansion and increase agricultural opportunities. The deal, known as the Louisiana Purchase, encompassed approximately 828,000 square miles, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, and it included land that would eventually become 15 states.

This acquisition was not only crucial for the expansion of the United States but also had far-reaching implications for the country's economy, governance, and the settlement patterns of its citizens. The other options refer to different territories with separate histories and methods of acquisition. Florida was acquired through a treaty in 1819, California was obtained as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 after the Mexican-American War, and Texas was annexed in 1845 following its independence from Mexico. Each of these acquisitions played a role in the growth of the United States, but the Louisiana Territory remains distinct due to its transformative impact on the nation's size and resources.