The Mississippi River has become a major part of US history, one of its major watercourses that influenced those that used it since its discovery. Along with being featured prominently in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, it has also served as a major transportation route, allowed settlers to explore, launched new industry, and today, it continues to serve as a connecting link between people and communities throughout the nation. In this article, we will unpack the role the Mississippi River played in the Louisiana Purchase, as well as its importance before and after the transaction.
Originally known to Indigenous peoples, the Mississippi River was christened from its Ojibwe name “Misissi-ziibi” by Father Marquette during an exploration in 1673. The river was used for trade and transportation, a major factor in drawing the first settlers to Louisiana by 1714. By acquiring Louisiana in the late 1700s, Spain gained 500,000 square miles of rich land, but failed to capitalize on it before the land was sold to France in 1800.
When Napoleon Bonaparte of France purchased Louisiana from Spain in 1800, he intended to set up French colonies. To keep the project viable, control of the Mississippi River was critical. The US was intent on obtaining control of this valuable path as a matter of national security, as its access allowed it to control the flow of goods and to benefit from the port’s revenue while also preventing the US’s potential rivals, Britain and France, from gaining any strength in the area.
In 1801, the US Senate tried to purchase the city of New Orleans from France, which the Louisiana Territory already included. However, the negotiations fell through. This prompted the US to seek other ways to gain access to the Mississippi River, resulting in the Louisiana Purchase negotiations, which began in April 1803.
The Louisiana Purchase agreement was officially marked on April 30, 1803, funded by way of a loan from the US government and a grant from Napoleon. It brought 828,000 square miles of land from the Spanish Empire to the US, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Border and doubling the size of the United States. The deal greatly expanded the US’s access to the Mississippi and made it a major factor in the nation’s commerce, making the contract a prudent move on behalf of the US’s national interests and allowing it to gain access to the rich resources within the region.
Role of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana Purchase
At the time, the Mississippi River was of great importance to the US because of the value of its resources and trade. Not only was it geographically convenient for transportation of goods, but it was also an essential factor for attracting people to the region and growing its population. Greatly facilitating a connection to the rest of the continent, it quickly became the preferred route for travelers and merchants seeking access to the inland from the Gulf of Mexico.
The US government plainly saw the importance of the Mississippi River, so securing its use was a major factor in their negotiations with France. In its alliance with France, the US obtained exclusive rights to navigate the river, as well as other waterways, such as the Ohio and Missouri Rivers, an important part of the Louisiana Purchase. In addition to that, the US also obtained right-of-way access to return goods by land, giving them full legal control over the river.
Impact on Commerce and Trade
The ability to gain access to the Mississippi River dramatically changed the US’s standing in the world of commerce. By purchasing the Louisiana territory, the US had gained tariffs from the ports, which generated a source of revenue for the country. Additionally, it was able to void Spanish restrictions that had been previously placed on American access to the river, filling their coffers further.
More than just being able to collect tariffs, the US was also able to generate greatly increased trade with the Mississippi River under its control. With the Mississippi River access-granted, the US was able to sell their goods to markets in Europe, Asia, and other major ports throughout the world, generating wealth within its borders and aiding the nation’s progress through increased overseas trade. Merchants could take full advantage of their access to the Mississippi River, reducing their costs significantly and allowing them to reach new areas faster. This, in turn, helped drive commerce in the early days of the country, providing new opportunities and helping to shape the early years of the new nation.
Mississippi River After the Louisiana Purchase
The Mississppi River became much more important than it had been before the Louisiana Purchase. Its path was used to settle western and northern territories, moving settlers further and further into the continent, and it was a vital component for the growth of the US’s economy, enabling them to trade goods with foreign nations and to access new economies in the West. New industry was spawned from its access, from steamboats to shipbuilding, providing an array of job opportunities that were not available before.
It also played a major part in the US’s transportation infrastructure, allowing goods to flow through in a very different and more cost effective way. Goods could be loaded up and shipped directly inland closer to their destination, tapping into new markets and creating more jobs. From a manufacturing perspective, the Mississippi allowed goods to move quickly and efficiently, allowing the US to create an international network of buyers and sellers.
The US’s purchase of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana Purchase made a great impact on its ability to trade, as well as increased its standing as a credible contender on the world stage. It enabled the US to settle its western and northern territories, and provided transportation opportunities for goods and services. It finally allowed the US to increase trading with foreign nations and access new economies, providing a great benefit for the country and its citizens.
Environmental Impact
Though it was the catalyst for the growth of the US, the Mississippi River has suffered from its very importance. As settlements and industry have sprung up along its banks, riverside environments have been sacrificed, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and water quality. The Mississippi River is at risk due to pollution, overfishing, and overdevelopment, as governments are still looking for ways to rein in its rampant exploitation. To this day, the governments along the Mississippi, especially at the local level, are looking to develop technologies and policies to protect the health of the river, one of the country’s most important resources.
For instance, the non-profit Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative works to help cities and towns along the way reduce pollution in the river and focus on preservation efforts to keep the river healthy and in safe condition. The group helps share information regarding policies, regulations, and scientific discoveries in order to make sure the river is being taken care of in order to protect it for future generations.
The Mississippi is an important part of the country’s history and its economy, but it can only make a lasting contribution to the nation’s future if efforts are made to secure its health. To make sure that the river is available for us in the future, initiatives like the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative will be vital for the task of ensuring its longevity and the health of its inhabitants.
Connectivity
The Mississippi River provided an extremely important trade route long before the Louisiana Purchase, allowing Indigenous peoples to form communities and travel farther inland. When the US acquired Louisiana and access to the Mississippi, it allowed an easier route to explore and develop the area. This much-needed access gave Europeans an opportunity to explore the country and start to build its future.
The US’s purchase of the Mississippi allowed trade to gain strength not only within the nation’s borders but also outwards, allowing them to further develop trade ties with foreign nations. This access provided more economic opportunities, which enabled the settlers to grow the nation’s industry and expand its network of buyers and sellers. Additionally, the Mississippi connected people that were previously disconnected, allowing them to come together in a new way.
The Mississippi’s importance has helped the US stay interconnected with foreign nations and internal allies both before and after the Louisiana Purchase. This interconnectedness has been especially highlighted in times of crisis, such as during floods and other natural disasters. In times like these, aid and relief could travel through the river quickly and efficiently, ensuring aid reaches those in need in a timely manner.
Safeguarding for Future Generations
Though the importance of the Mississippi River can not be understated, much of its beauty has been lost due to the river’s development and exploitation. In order to ensure that it can continue being an important part of the US’s history, it will require continued efforts to protect it from environmental damage. Governments, businesses and people must work together to ensure that its resources will be available for future generations, as well as our own.
In addition, with the right kind of support, the Mississippi River can still offer an important connection between communities, allowing its access to benefit not only those directly connected to it, but those far beyond it, connecting us to the world. This connectivity is something that everyone should be striving for and the Mississippi River is one of the most important tools we have in our arsenal.
As we look to the future of the Mississippi River and its role in US history, it’s clear that while we must safeguard it and protect it, its value to the US is far greater than its potential risks. The Louisiana Purchase showed the value of the Mississippi River in the very foundation of America, and the US must ensure that the river has a future that includes not just the communities that depend on it, but the entire nation.
