U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What was one of the primary motivations for the Louisiana Purchase?

1. To gain control of the Mississippi River

2. To expand the U.S. military

3. To establish more colonies in Africa

4. To create treaties with Native Americans

The correct answer is: To gain control of the Mississippi River

The primary motivation for the Louisiana Purchase was indeed to gain control of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River was crucial for trade and transportation, particularly for western settlers who relied on it to move their goods to market. Control of the river allowed the United States to ensure that trade could flow freely and securely, which was essential for the economic growth of the nation. Additionally, at the time, the Port of New Orleans served as a vital outlet for grains and other agricultural products coming from the interior of the continent. By acquiring this territory from France, the U.S. not only secured access to the river but also removed French influence from the region, thus fostering a more favorable environment for American expansion. The other options, while they might address broader themes in U.S. history, do not capture the immediate practical and economic concerns that drove the decision to purchase the territory. Expanding the military or establishing colonies in Africa were not relevant factors in the context of the Louisiana Purchase, nor was creating treaties with Native Americans a primary motivation for this significant land acquisition.