Unaware of Napoleon's imperial ambitions in America, President Thomas Jefferson engaged in a foreign policy that reflected his well-known esteem for France. Jefferson appointed Robert R. Livingston as American minister to Paris, who worked to secure ratification of the Franco-American settlement of 1800. After Jefferson heard the rumors of the secret transfer of Louisiana, he began to reconsider his position toward France in 1802, with the intuitions that it reversed all of the political relations of the United States. .
Jefferson made the proclamation thereafter that, if France should actually confiscate New Orleans, the U.S. would align with the British fleet and nation. Jefferson would have run the risk of a major war with France, had he yielded to the frontier uproar and tried to change the policy by force. He then instructed Livingston to seek out and negotiate the purchase of New Orleans. Livingston proposed the purchase of the whole western part of Louisiana on his own authority as well. Due to seemingly intimidating actions of Jefferson in respect to American forces, Napoleon accepted Livingston's proposal and offered the United States the entire Louisiana Territory. Thus, the Louisiana Purchase took place. .
James K. Polk, whom the expansionists of the Democratic convention nominated due to his support of Texas" annexation, was noted to be the "dark horse" to win the presidential proposal of his party. Although he was out of public office and attention after extensive political obligations, victory was still his, corresponding to his beliefs held high on the Democratic platform. In 1814, Polk advised that the reoccupation of Oregon as well as the re-annexation of Texas, at the most primitive and practical period, were to be critical American measures. Combining the two issues, the Democrats aspired to have the favor of both the northern and southern expansionists. These innovations were the fundamental parts of the Polk election victory.
Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James K. Polk both strengthened the United States as a result of their expansionist foreign policies. Jefferson's foreign policy reflected his feelings for France and resulted in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. ... These expansionist policies and actions by Thomas Jefferson and James K. ... The expansionist policies of Thomas Jefferson and James K. ...
