USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1803 the United States paid France $15 million for the Louisiana Territory–828, 000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River.

Detailed explanation-2: -Jefferson had only given Monroe and Livingston instructions to spend up to $10 million to purchase New Orleans and West Florida. But when the French offered them a $15 million deal for all of Louisiana, they consented immediately.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Louisiana Purchase encompassed 530, 000, 000 acres of territory in North America that the United States purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million.

Detailed explanation-4: -Foreign Minister Talleyrand tells Livingston that France is willing to sell all of Louisiana. Monroe arrives in Paris and joins Livingston in negotiations with Finance Minister Barbé-Marbois. Monroe, Livingston, and Barbé-Marbois agree on terms of sale: $15 million for approximately 827, 000 square miles of territory.

Detailed explanation-5: -The total of $15 million is equivalent to about $337 million in 2021 dollars, or 64 cents per acre. The American representatives were prepared to pay up to $10 million for New Orleans and its environs but were dumbfounded when the vastly larger territory was offered for $15 million.