The Louisiana Purchase was one the largest land mass ever purchased by the United States at one time. This was Thomas Jefferson’s most glorious achievement during his term. He achieved much throughout his term but nothing compared to the acquisition of the huge province called Louisiana.
The French originally settled the Province of Louisiana in the early 18th century. In the year 1762 it was given to Spain because of a secret treaty that was established between the two countries. A year later the vast region east of the Mississippi, with the exception of New Orleans was lost by Spain in the Seven Years War to Great Britain.