Jacques, ON5MJ wrote:
"USA added 12 states and increased their size by a factor of 2 in one
hit of magic wand."

The Louisiana Purchase from France was the most important item in the
territorial growth of the USA. Jefferson wasn`t sure that it was even
legal according to the US constitution when he bought the territory, but
he was sure that it was necessary, so he did it anyway.

Thomas Jefferson succeeded Benjamin Franklin as minister to France in
1785. Jefferson sympathized with the French Revolution.

Jefferson was a reluctant candidate for President in 1796, and became
Vice-President in the Adams administration as runner-up due to the
election law at the time. In 1800, Jefferson was elected President. He
sent the U.S. Navy to the Mediterranean to dispose of the Barbary
pirates who were harrassing American commerce. I think the term "To the
shores of Tripoli" in the Marine Hymn comes from that action. As the
Marines say, "when it absolutely has to be done, the Marines are ready."

Jefferson acquired the Louisana Territory from Napoleon in 1803. He sent
Lewis & Clark in 1804-1806 overland to Oregon to examine the purchase
and claim it for the U.S.A.. The explorers did a magnificent job.

During Jefferson`s second Presidential Term, he devoted much of his
energy to keeping the U.S.A. clear of the Napoleonic Wars, though both
England and France interfered with the neutral rights of American
merchant ships.

The Louisiana Purchase was essential in creation of a powerful nation
spreading from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Jefferson, the purchaser,
died at 83 years of age on July 4, 1826, anniversary of the Declaration
of Independance of 1776 which Jefferson mostly wrote. He usually was the
brightest bulb on the tree.

Merry Christmas and best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI