What significant territory was purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million?

The territory purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million is known as the Louisiana Purchase. This monumental acquisition significantly expanded the boundaries of the United States, doubling the size of the nation at that time. The land acquired from France encompassed a vast area stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, including parts of what are now 15 states.

The Louisiana Purchase is significant not only for its geographical expansion but also for its impact on U.S. politics, economy, and relations with Native American tribes. It allowed for westward expansion and exploration, facilitated trade and agriculture, and laid the groundwork for the idea of Manifest Destiny.

The other territories mentioned do not pertain to this 1803 acquisition. The Texas Territory became a part of the United States later, in 1845, following its annexation. The Nebraska Territory was established in 1854 under the Kansas-Nebraska Act. California Territory was acquired in 1848 as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo after the Mexican-American War. Thus, the Louisiana Purchase remains a unique and foundational event in early American history.