The acquisition of the abundance of land was significant because it gave the United States control over the river and the New Orleans port, both of which were essential for trade and westward expansion. Furthermore, the purchase set a precedent for future territorial growth and demonstrated the nation’s hunger to expand. That being said, the Louisiana Purchase fueled the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the land belonging to the United States stretched from coast to coast. Agriculture operations were expanded, but concerns were raised about the extension of slavery and the treatment of Native Americans living in the purchased regions. Moreover, the purchase strengthened Thomas Jefferson’s presidency because he utilized an executive order to complete the deal. Overall, the purchase of 828,000 square miles of land helped grow the United States into a continental power.