What first caused President Jefferson to believe the United States should purchase the Louisiana Territory?
(1 point)
Responses
France had threatened to invade the United States.
France had threatened to invade the United States.
Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to American trade.
Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to American trade.
France offered the region to the United States at a reduced rate.
France offered the region to the United States at a reduced rate.
Spain gave the Louisiana Territory back to France.
Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to American trade.
The reason that first caused President Jefferson to believe the United States should purchase the Louisiana Territory was because Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to American trade.
To determine what first caused President Jefferson to believe the United States should purchase the Louisiana Territory, we need to evaluate each option.
1. France had threatened to invade the United States.
This statement is not accurate. At the time, there were no indications or threats of France invading the United States.
2. Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to American trade.
This statement is true. In 1802, Spain closed the port of New Orleans to American trade, which greatly affected American merchants who relied on the Mississippi River and the port for their businesses. This action by Spain alarmed President Jefferson and led him to consider acquiring the region.
3. France offered the region to the United States at a reduced rate.
This statement is true. In 1803, France, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte, offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States at a reduced rate. This unexpected offer further heightened Jefferson's interest in acquiring the territory.
4. Spain gave the Louisiana Territory back to France.
This statement is also true. In 1800, Spain, through the Treaty of San Ildefonso, gave the Louisiana Territory back to France, which had previously controlled the territory. This transfer of ownership from Spain to France added to the urgency felt by Jefferson to secure American access to the Mississippi River.
Therefore, the correct answer to what first caused President Jefferson to believe the United States should purchase the Louisiana Territory is:
Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to American trade.