Which territory did the United States purchase from France in 1803?

• A. Florida
• B. Texas
• C. The Louisiana Territory
• D. California

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is the Louisiana Territory because, in 1803, the United States acquired this vast area through the Louisiana Purchase from France. This transaction effectively doubled the size of the nation at the time, providing a wealth of resources and land for westward expansion. The acquisition included land that would eventually become several states, including Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Louisiana.

The other options are related to different historical events or acquisitions. Florida, for example, was later acquired from Spain in 1819. Texas was an independent republic before becoming a state in 1845, and California was ceded to the U.S. from Mexico following the Mexican-American War in 1848. Thus, the significance of the Louisiana Territory lies in its role as a foundational element of the U.S. expansion during the early 19th century.