Louisiana Territory

the name given to the extensive area of the Mississippi Basin from the late 17th to the early 19th century. When the Spanish arrived there in the 16th century the area was inhabited by Indians. By the end of the 17th century the French had begun to colonize the region. After the Seven Years’ War (1756-63) France was compelled to cede eastern Louisiana to Great Britain and western Louisiana to Spain. Eastern Louisiana became part of the USA at the time of the country’s formation, and in 1800 the western part of Louisiana again passed to France. In 1803 the USA bought western Louisiana from France for $15 million. The territory was eventually divided into a number of states of the USA, and most of the Indian population was exterminated by the colonizers.