What territory did the United States acquire from France in 1803?

The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 through a transaction known as the Louisiana Purchase. This acquisition was significant because it doubled the size of the United States at the time, adding approximately 828,000 square miles of land. The purchase was negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson and was motivated by the desire to secure land for future settlement and to gain control of the Mississippi River, which was vital for trade and transportation.

The Louisiana Purchase had long-lasting implications for the expansion of the United States, paving the way for westward exploration and settlement. It also played a key role in shaping the nation’s identity and territorial boundaries. The other options mentioned, such as California, New Mexico, and Texas, were acquired at different times through various means, but they are not associated with the significant 1803 purchase of the Louisiana territory from France.