TExES Social Studies Content Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Louisiana Purchase holds great significance as it effectively doubled the size of the United States, which had tremendous implications for the nation's future. Acquired from France in 1803, this vast territory stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and included a multitude of resources, geographical diversity, and potential for settlement.

By expanding the nation’s land area, the Louisiana Purchase facilitated westward expansion, a crucial aspect of American history. This expansion allowed for greater agricultural development, settlement opportunities for Americans seeking land, and the promotion of the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent. Furthermore, it provided control over key waterways, such as the Mississippi River, enhancing trade and transportation.

The other options do not represent the significance of the Louisiana Purchase accurately, as they pertain to different historical events or themes that are unrelated to the territorial expansion brought about by this pivotal acquisition.