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

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers.

• the Louisiana Territory
• Louisiana

Our explanation

In 1803, the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France. It was a huge area of land between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. France sold it because it needed money for wars in Europe.

Remember it

“Louis”-iana: Louis was a French king’s name — bought from France.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide p. 54. Quote: “In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France… France sold the Louisiana Territory… because they needed money to pay for wars.”

• Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test (2008 version), rev. 08/21 (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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Easy to mix up with

• 91Name one U.S. territory.