U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What was the main outcome of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803?

1. Expanded U.S. territory

2. Ended the Civil War

3. Established the Bill of Rights

4. Created the first political parties

The correct answer is: Expanded U.S. territory

The primary outcome of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was the expansion of U.S. territory. This significant acquisition from France doubled the size of the United States, adding approximately 828,000 square miles of land. The purchase opened up vast tracts of land for settlement and exploration, leading to further westward expansion and the eventual development of numerous states. This event played a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation, influencing economic growth, migration patterns, and the concept of Manifest Destiny, which was the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. The other options do not relate to the Louisiana Purchase. The end of the Civil War occurred much later, the Bill of Rights was established in 1791 preceding the purchase, and the creation of political parties arose during the early years of the republic, independent of this territorial expansion. Thus, the correct answer clearly reflects the monumental increase in U.S. land and influence stemming from the Louisiana Purchase.