The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Focusing on the Louisiana Purchase
background The louisiana purchase maps timeline quiz
Background
It is 1803, and the United States of America is less than 30 years old. Thomas Jefferson is our president.
Background Our country was growing very rapidly! People were moving farther west in search of more land for crops and livestock. The land that the United States owned at the time was becoming too crowded! Thomas Jefferson also wanted to buy and be in charge of New Orleans, a big port that would give lots of control to America and help out lots of farmers.
Background The United States wanted to buy land from France. Napoleon, the emperor of France, did not want to sell, because he wanted to create a big empire for France. However, there were troubles in Europe, and France needed the money, so Napoleon agreed to sell quickly to President Jefferson. He didn’t just sell New Orleans, he also agreed to sell the whole Louisiana Territory!
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the land deal between France and the United States that Napoleon and Jefferson agreed upon in 1803.
The Louisiana Purchase The United States acquired 828,000 sq. miles of land, west of the Mississippi River, for $15,000,000. This land deal created part/all of 15 current states that we have today.
The Louisiana Purchase Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery to lead an expedition out west to discover this new Louisiana Territory. The Corps of Discovery was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
The Louisiana Purchase Lewis and Clark’s expedition out west lasted for 3 years, from 1804 – President Jefferson wanted them to explore a route through the new territory to the Pacific Ocean.
The Louisiana Purchase The Corps of Discovery discovered hundreds of new plants and animals. They also met and discovered several new American Indian tribes.
Maps
The land that made up the United States at the time (in 1803) is shown in Orange. The land that the United States acquired because of the Louisiana Purchase is outlined in purple.
Maps The Louisiana Purchase DOUBLED the size of the United States!
Maps Pick out which current states we have today because of the Louisiana Purchase! The Louisiana Territory is shown in green.
Maps States (part/all) : ArkansasMissouriIowa OklahomaKansasNebraska MinnesotaNorth DakotaSouth Dakota New MexicoTexasMontana WyomingColoradoLouisiana
Timeline
1776 – US becomes a country 1801 – Thomas Jefferson becomes president 1803 – The Louisiana Purchase between France and the US 1803 – Assemble Corps of Discovery for expedition out west – The Lewis and Clark Expedition
TIMELINE Here is a brief video to put all of these events into perspective:
Quiz
Question #1
What two countries was the Louisiana Purchase between? A.US & EnglandUS & England B.US & FranceUS & France C.US & SpainUS & Spain D.US & PortugalUS & Portugal
Question #2
How many states were created from the land deal? (part or all of the state) A.1010 B.2020 C.1212 D.1515
Question #3
The Louisiana Purchase was considered one of the most important achievements of the President of the United States at that time. Who was he? A.Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson B.George WashingtonGeorge Washington C.James MadisonJames Madison D.George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
Question #4
What ocean did the Corps of Discovery (led by Lewis and Clark) travel to? A.AtlanticAtlantic B.PacificPacific C.IndianIndian D.ArcticArctic
Question #5
Which one of these present-day states was NOT part of the land within the Louisiana Purchase? A.C. B.D.
Objectives After this lesson, students will: 1.Develop an understanding of the time period and culture of the early 1800’s. 2.Understand what the Louisiana Purchase was, and what it meant for the United States. 3.Interpret information through maps by comparing historical and current maps. 4.Identify and analyze dates and the passage of time. 5.Demonstrate comprehension through experimental response (scoring at least an 80%).
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