How much money was paid for the Louisiana Purchase?

How much money was paid for the Louisiana Purchase?

• A. $10 million
• B. $18 million
• C. $15 million
• D. $25 million

Answer: (C)

The key idea is recalling the price of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1803, the United States bought the vast Louisiana Territory from France for fifteen million dollars. That single purchase added about 828,000 square miles to U.S. land, which works out to roughly three cents per acre. The deal reflected France’s need for funds and the U.S. interest in securing control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans. So the amount paid was fifteen million dollars, not the other options.

The key idea is recalling the price of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1803, the United States bought the vast Louisiana Territory from France for fifteen million dollars. That single purchase added about 828,000 square miles to U.S. land, which works out to roughly three cents per acre. The deal reflected France’s need for funds and the U.S. interest in securing control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans. So the amount paid was fifteen million dollars, not the other options.