Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

Which country sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States, and why?

1. Mexico, due to war debts

2. Great Britain, to fund recapturing the Thirteen Colonies

3. Spain, after losing South American colonies

4. France, needing money to fight Britain

The correct answer is: France, needing money to fight Britain

The sale of the Louisiana Territory to the United States was conducted by France, largely because the French government was in dire need of funds to support its military efforts against Britain. Following the Haitian Revolution and the loss of its most profitable colony in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), France found itself in a precarious financial position. Additionally, Napoléon Bonaparte’s ambitions in Europe were growing, requiring substantial resources. Thus, selling the vast expanse of the Louisiana Territory allowed France to mitigate some of its debts and reallocate resources, while also avoiding the challenge of managing and defending such a large territory in North America, especially given the rising tensions with Great Britain. This transaction ultimately facilitated the expansion of the United States westward, known as the Louisiana Purchase. The other countries listed in the answer choices were not involved in the sale of the Louisiana Territory to the United States at that time. Mexico was not a formal nation during the era of the Louisiana Purchase, as it was still part of Spain until its own independence. Great Britain had no direct role in selling the territory and had its focus during that period on maintaining control over its own colonies rather than acquiring more land. Spain, while it once controlled the territory, ultimately ceded it back