The correct answer is A) New Orleans was key to accessing and controlling trade on the Mississippi River.
The city of New Orleans was important in Thomas Jefferson desire to purchase the Louisiana territory from France in that New Orleans was key to accessing and controlling trade on the Mississippi River.
Jefferson sent James Monroe to France in order to help Robert Livingston, United States Minister to France, to help him with the negotiations of the purchase. A treaty between the United States and France was signed on May 3, 1803. The U.S. paid for $11,250,000 for the territory. The city of New Orleans was important in Thomas Jefferson desire to purchase the Louisiana territory from France in that New Orleans was key to accessing and controlling trade on the Mississippi River.
The other options of the question were, b) Jefferson was concerned that New Orleans would fall into the hands of Britain, c) New Orleans was important to keep balance of “free” and “slave” areas in the country, and d) Jefferson needed to be sure French culture would be eliminated.
