Which acquisition doubled the size of the United States by acquiring territory from France?

• A. Embargo Act
• B. Louisiana Purchase
• C. Alien and Sedition Acts
• D. War of 1812

Answer: (B)

Expanding the country through a single, large land purchase is what this item highlights. In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for about $15 million, adding roughly 827,000 square miles. That purchase more than doubled the nation’s size, opening vast areas for exploration and settlement and giving the U.S. greater access to the Mississippi River and New Orleans. The other options involve actions that don’t add large tracts of new land or involve France, such as trade restrictions, internal laws about citizens and speech, or a conflict with Britain. So the Louisiana Purchase is the instance that doubled the country’s territory.