USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Before it was secretly transferred in 1802, the Louisiana Territory belonged to: Spain. After it was secretly transferred in 1802, the Louisiana Territory belonged to: France.

Detailed explanation-2: -Since 1762, Spain had owned the territory of Louisiana, which included 828, 000 square miles. The territory made up all or part of fifteen modern U.S. states between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.

Detailed explanation-3: -The area had originally been claimed and controlled by France, which had named it La Louisiane in honor of King Louis XIV in 1682. Spain secretly acquired the territory from France near the end of the Seven Years’ War by the terms of the Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762).

Detailed explanation-4: -On Tuesday, December 20, 1803, in The Cabildo, a government building used by both the Spanish and French in New Orleans, the Louisiana Territory was officially transferred from France to the United States.

Detailed explanation-5: -On October 1, 1800, within 24 hours of signing a peace settlement with the United States, First Consul of the Republic of France Napoleon Bonaparte, acquired Louisiana from Spain by the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso.