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

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers.

• Louisiana Territory
• Louisiana

Our explanation

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

Remember it

Louisiana sounds French, and the U.S. bought it from France in 1803.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide (M-1175) p. 54; M-1778 Q87 (“Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)”). Quote (p. 54): “In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France… between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.”

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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