Question

Jefferson sent Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate with the French foreign minster Talleyrand. What was their initial request and offer? What did they ultimately agree on?

Answer 1

summarize this

Answer 2

At the beginning of the negotiation, Livingston and Monroe were instructed to offer up to $10 million for the purchase of New Orleans and the surrounding area. However, they were prepared to go as high as $15 million if necessary.

Initially, Talleyrand and the French government refused to negotiate and demanded that the United States pay off French debts and provide a loan to France in exchange for the territory. However, as the situation escalated and there was fear of war breaking out between France and the United States, Talleyrand ultimately agreed to sell the entire territory of Louisiana to the United States for $15 million.

The Louisiana Purchase was finalized in 1803, doubling the size of the United States and opening up vast new territories for settlement and development.

Answer 3

Robert Livingston and James Monroe were sent by Thomas Jefferson to negotiate with French foreign minister Talleyrand for the purchase of New Orleans and the surrounding area for up to $15 million. Initially, the French demanded additional payments, but ultimately agreed to sell the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million in what became known as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, doubling the size of the United States.