Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase: How Thomas Jefferson Secured America’s Agricultural Future

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

Introduction: A Turning Point in American Agriculture In the early years of the United States, few decisions carried as much long-term impact as the Louisiana Purchase. While often remembered for dramatically expanding the nation’s borders, the acquisition was driven by practical concerns—especially agriculture, trade, and access to markets. As explained by Mark Oppold in this American Agriculture History Minute, President …

railroads

How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture in the 1860s

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

Railroads: The Engine of Agricultural Expansion In the mid-1860s, railroads became one of the most powerful forces driving the expansion of American agriculture. As new lines crisscrossed the nation, they connected rural farmers to distant cities and ports, turning isolated homesteads into key suppliers for a growing industrial economy. This new transportation network dramatically increased access to markets, reduced costs, …