The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal signed in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson whereby the United States acquired approximately 828,000 square miles of land from France. Jefferson sought to acquire New Orleans and its port to ensure free shipping for American goods on the Mississippi River. However, Napoleon offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million, doubling the size of the young nation. Though Jefferson had initially offered only $2 million, he realized the opportunity to secure vital land and ports and made the purchase, which doubled the size of the United States.