Comparative Analysis of Louisiana Purchase Sources

The Louisiana Purchase was a deal between the United States and France that included 530 million acres of land, sold for 15 million dollars. The deal occurred in 1803 during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. While researching this topic, I found two credible sources: an online article titled “Louisiana Purchase, 1803” from the website Office of the Historian and a journal entry from the JSTOR database, titled “Party Politics during the Louisiana Purchase”. After reviewing both sources, I realized there are both similarities and differences in how they discuss the Louisiana Purchase.

Overview of the Online Article

The online article “Louisiana Purchase, 1803”, posted on the Office of the Historian website, provides a concise overview of the purchase, stating that “The Louisiana Purchase encompassed 530,000,000 acres of territory in North America that the United States purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million” (Louisiana Purchase, 1803, n.d.). The article explains the history of the land before the purchase, why the United States felt the need to acquire it, and details the participants involved in the transaction.

Journal Entry Analysis

In contrast, the journal entry “Party Politics during the Louisiana Purchase” by Sean M. Theriault, explores the deal from a social science perspective. It begins with a description of the purchase and its contents, but then delves into the political and governmental aspects during and after the acquisition. Theriault asserts, “The Louisiana Purchase provides fertile ground for analyzing the transition from a colonial government to a modern-day democracy” (Theriault, 294-295), suggesting that the purchase marked a pivotal moment in American government.

Similarities Between the Two Sources

Despite differing perspectives, both sources share some similarities. Both articles discuss the history of the purchase, including details about how the transaction occurred and the role of the federal government. However, their approaches diverge significantly. The online article is brief, while the journal entry is far more detailed, extending to 32 pages.

Differences Between the Sources

The Office of the Historian article focuses on the basic history of the transaction, while Theriault’s journal entry explores the broader implications of the purchase on American government and society. The journal article provides critical thinking, examining how the purchase impacted American democracy and politics.

Conclusion

Ultimately, after reviewing both sources, I found that each serves a different purpose. The online article “Louisiana Purchase, 1803” provides a straightforward account of the purchase and its participants, while “Party Politics during the Louisiana Purchase” offers a more in-depth analysis of the event’s impact on politics and society.