Lesson 7 Assignment 3
New Orleans was “the one single spot” that made the possessor of it the natural enemy of
the United States. New Orleans was a really affluent place for trading and whoever had control
over the territory would have control over trade. For that reason, New Orleans was really
significant to the United States and they wanted it whatsoever. American ships would deposit
their goods in New Orleans to transfer the goods to sea vessels. New Orleans was used as an
important port for trading and the United States wanted the region so they could obtain the
trading rights (PBS).
Jefferson convinced Congress to take funds so they can establish an army and create a
fleet. Jefferson wanted to make an impression that if the problems with France were not solved
then they would invade New Orleans and form an alliance with Great Britain. Napoleon
Bonaparte offered the United States, New Orleans if it took all of the Louisiana Territory for $15
million. The United States also had to grant commercial freedom to France for the New Orleans
Port. The U.S. also had to give the citizens of Louisiana the same rights as the U.S. citizens
(Lesson 7: Video 4 of 5-Ken Poston).
