Read the passage from the following website: www. growingnation. org President Thomas Jefferson believed that for Americans to be virtuous and free, they needed to farm land. He wanted to expand westward to create more farmland. Jefferson also wanted to obtain the Port of New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River so farmers could easily transport their goods. He facilitated the purchase of New Orleans and the rest of the French territory from France in 1803 for $15 million. This new land was called the Louisiana Territory and stretched partway across the continent. It was the first step in expanding the United States. The purchase of the Louisiana Territory led to a pattern of westward expansion through payment, negotiations, and conflict.

Read the passage from the website: www. expandingcountries. edu/unitedstates/louisianapurchase< br />
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and vastly increased its resources and riches. The roles of the president and the Constitution were also defined, as it was determined that the president could purchase the land without consulting Congress. Despite the advantages of expanding westward, one prominent disadvantage was the growing tension between slave states and free states regarding whether new states would permit slavery. The opportunity to grow a nation would endanger its very survival during the Civil War.

Which of the following text based responses correctly answers the following question: How did the Louisiana purchase benefit the United States? Use both texts to find the best response.

A Pioneers began to farm the new land or use other natural resources. Some of these people used the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans to ship their products. This purchase clarified the Constitution, increased riches, and led to buying more land.
B President Thomas Jefferson believed that for Americans to be virtuous and free, they needed to farm land. He also wanted to obtain the Port of New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River, so farmers could transport their goods. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the
C United States and vastly increased its resources and riches. The roles of the president and the Constitution were also defined, as it was determined that the president could purchase the land without consulting Congress.
D The Louisiana Purchase benefited the United States because it led to westward expansion, secure waterways, and a stronger nation. Pioneers began to farm the land or use the natural resources. Some of these people used the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans to ship their products. This purchase clarified the Constitution, increased riches, and led to buying more land. By strengthening the country, securing waterways, and expanding westward, the Louisiana purchase benefited the U. S.
The Louisiana Purchase involved the United States paying France $1