The Louisiana Purchase was a sea change in land ownership in the United States, doubling its size with the stroke of a pen. After France sold all of its lands in North America to the United States, a whopping 828,000 square miles was opened to any Americans who were willing to pack their bags and leave in search of a chance at a better life. Napoleon's immediate need for money prompted him to offer all of what would later be called the Louisiana Purchase to the United States in 1803. With the addition of vast, virtually untouched land, families began moving west into seek better lives. The Louisiana Purchase was a constitutional decision made by Jefferson pursuant to the President's specific power to negotiate treaties as stated in the United States Constitution (Art. II, Sec. 2). The acquisition brought new land to Americans and was considered President Jefferson's greatest and most controversial achievement while in office. The Louisiana Purchase was negotiated at a time when France desperately needed funds for the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The United States desired to possess New Orleans for trade. Jefferson sent James Madison, Jefferson's secretary of state and Robert Livingston, the US minister to France to offer $2 million for the port of New Orleans. After negotiating, Napoleon responded to their offer with $15 million for the entire Louisiana Territory and previous debts to pay. Without waiting for congressional approval, Livingston quickly conducted the transaction with France. Most Americans supported the transaction because of the amount of cheap land acquired. Although at first glance the Louisiana Purchase was great for Mr. Jefferson, Jefferson's critics were quick to point out that nowhere... middle of paper... .. Because of Thomas Jefferson's decision to approve the transaction of the Louisiana Purchase, he became known as one of America's greatest presidents.Works CitedAnderson House. "VIRGINIA in the American Revolution." Scribd. Uva A. Priya, March 6, 2010. nd Web. October 25, 2013Cunningham Jr. Noble E. In Pursuit of Reason: The Life of Thomas Jefferson, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Louisiana State University Press, 1987. Print.Ellis, Joseph J. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. New York: Knopf, 1996. Print.Pasley, Jeffery Robertson, Andrew and Waldstreisher, David (eds.) Beyond the Founders: New Approaches to the Political History of the Early American Republic. (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2004. Print.) Peterson, Eric S. (ed.) Light and Freedom: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness. New York: The Modern Library, 2004. Print.