Which statement is incorrect regarding the Louisiana Purchase?

The statement indicating that the Purchase doubled the U.S. territory overnight is incorrect. Although the Louisiana Purchase did indeed significantly expand the size of the United States by acquiring a vast territory from France, the notion of "doubling" is often simplified. Before the Purchase, the U.S. territory included lands east of the Mississippi River but did not encompass the full range of what was gained through this agreement. The Louisiana Purchase added approximately 828,000 square miles to the United States, which was a momentous increase and pivotal for future expansion. However, it does not literally translate to doubling the existing territory in a straightforward mathematical sense of total area prior to the acquisition compared to after it.

The other statements accurately reflect historical truths about the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson's initial intent was indeed to secure New Orleans for trade purposes. Furthermore, the acquisition was a significant factor in the U.S. westward expansion, as it facilitated the movement and settlement of Americans into new lands. Finally, Napoleon's decision to sell the land stemmed from substantial financial pressures that France was facing, particularly due to wars in Europe and the costly Haitian Revolution. Thus, while the Purchase was transformative, it is important to avoid overstating its effects without contextualizing the existing U.S