The Louisiana Purchase

9-2

Objectives

• How the United States expanded in the early 1800s.• How Lewis and Clark led an expedition to explore Louisiana.

Western TerritoryIn the early 1800’s, Americans began moving west of the Appalachian Mountains to new lands. They would take essential items and load them in sturdy wagons called

“Conestoga” wagons.

Pioneer Tools

Rifle Ax

Louisiana TerritoryThe Louisiana Territory was a huge tract of land west of the

Mississippi River to the Rocky Mouintains. Spain controlled this land until France aquired it in 1802.

New OrleansNew Orleans was an essential port for western farme send their crops

by river to New Orleans, then load onto ocean going vessels to destinations far away.

Revolt in Santo Domingo

In Santo Domingo, noe Haiti, arevolt led by Toussaint L}’oveture cost France thousands of soldiers to qwell. Because his ambitions were on Europe, Napoleon looked to end his western hemisphere influence.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon told his ministers to sell Louisiana to America.

France’s OfferAmerican negotiators were to try to get a deal for New Orleans, but when France offered all of Louisiana, America jumped at the offer.

Constitutional IssueThe question arose did the

President have the power to add territory without

congressional approval?| Jefferson answered by saying

the President could make treaties so long as the senate approved the treay. So the

deal ws made.

Louisiana Purchase

Louisiana was purchased for $15,000,000. (three cents an acre.) It doubled the land mass of the United States. And no one knew

what had been purchased.

Lewis and Clark

Merriweather Lewis, Jefferson’s secretary, and William Clark, a former army buddy of Lewis, were chosen as co-captains if

an expedition to explore the territory.

SacajaweaSacajawea, a 16 year old Shoshone who had been captured in a raid, joined

the expedition and served as a guide and interpeture.

Fort ClatsopThe Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805-06 in Fort Clatsop, near

present day Astoria Oregon.

Impact of ExpeditionThe Lewis and Clark Expedition spurred an interest to find out more

about what lay in the western lands. Over the next few decades thousands would beginmigrating west.

Zebulon Pike

Pike led an expedition south of the area Lewis and Clark did. Pikes Peak in Colorado honors him.

Federalists Secession Plot

Federalists in New England feared the states from the Louisiana Purchase would support Republicans. A plot centered on a Federalist, Aaron Burr, winning New York, then New England seceding (withraw) from the union. Alexander Hamilton accused Burr of being part of the plot. Burr lost the election.

DuelBurr blamed Hamilton for losing the election. He challenged him to a duel. They met July 11, 1804. Burr shot and killed Hamilton.