10-2 Notes: The Louisiana Purchase and Exploration

The West in 1800 1800 – Americans consider land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River “the west” Thousands of settlers were moving to this region, some into Native American territory Kentucky and Tennessee become states by 1800, Ohio in 1803 1800 – France and Spain were negotiating for the ownership of Louisiana (region between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains) California had 21 Spanish missions stretching from San Diego to San Francisco Russians had settlements along the Pacific coast to Alaska Britain claimed land in the Pacific Northwest Threats to the free navigation of the Mississippi River and the use of the port of New Orleans were taken seriously by Americans American farmers and merchants used the river and town to ship goods and supplies

Napoleon and New Orleans New Orleans was a strategic port originally claimed by France France turned Louisiana and New Orleans over to the Spanish after losing the French and Indian War 1800 – Secret treaty gives Louisiana and New Orleans back to the French and Napoleon, France’s leader 1802 – Spain closed the port of New Orleans to American shipping just before the transfer to France Angry Westerners called for war against France Jefferson offered to buy New Orleans French responded by not only offering New Orleans but all of Louisiana, a tract of land larger than the entire US of the time period

The Louisiana Purchase Napoleon was probably intimidated by the Americans’ incessant determination to keep the port of New Orleans open Napoleon was also worried by events in the West Indies, in which Toussaint L’Ouverture led a successful revolt of slaves in Haiti, which cost the French lives and money France was also fighting a costly war against Britain, which may have motivated Napoleon to sell for cash Jefferson was thrilled but unsure if he, as President, had the authority to buy land Rationalized it by arguing that it was necessary to fulfill his vision of a nation of farmers April 30, 1803 – Louisiana Purchase was approved for $15 million (3 cents per acre!) Doubled the size of the US

Lewis and Clark Explore 1802 – Jefferson had already planned an expedition to explore the Louisiana territory Purchasing the territory increased the need Jefferson chose a young officer, Captain Meriwether Lewis, to lead the force (Lewis planned the trip out with Jefferson) Lewis had his friend, Lieutenant William Clark, select and oversee a volunteer force (known as the Discovery Corps) Clark was a skilled mapmaker and outdoorsman Corps of Discovery soon became the Lewis and Clark expedition Clark was accompanied by York, his African-American slave York was a skilled hunter whose skills dazzled the Native Americans

The Expedition Set out in Summer of 1803 - Reached St. Louis by winter of 1803 - St. Louis becomes traditional “gateway” to the West (1803 – 180 houses in St. Louis) - Lewis and Clark spent winter of 1803 in St. Louis waiting for the official ceremony that would officially transfer Louisiana to the US – March 1804 American flag flies over St. Louis for the first time

Up the Missouri River The explorers (40 total) set out from St. Louis in May of 1804 in 1 shallow-bottomed river boat and 2 pirogues Jefferson’s instructions were to explore the river and find a water route across the continent Establish good relations with the Native Americans and describe the plants, animals, and geography of the land Progress was slow at first (3 miles the first afternoon!) and occasionally the men had to pull their boats against the current Late October 1804 – Expedition reached the Mandan villages in modern-day North Dakota Explorers built a small fort, spent the winter with the Mandan Also met British and French-Canadian fur traders, who were unhappy at the prospect of competing with the Americans Spring 1805 – Expedition sets out again Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman with excellent communication and navigation skills, accompanied the voyage with her French husband and baby

On to the Pacific Ocean Had to stop and get around the Great Falls of Missouri by carrying their boats and supplies for 18 miles Wheels built from cottonwood trees were built to move the boat Took 2 weeks (slowed down by hail storms, rattlesnakes, and bears) Came across Shoshone lands (excitedly pointed out by Sacagawea) Lewis and a small party found the Shoshone (chief of the Shoshone recognized Sacagawea as his sister) Shoshone traded horses with Lewis and Clark and helped them cross the Rocky Mountains Next journeyed to the Columbia River, which led them to the Pacific Ocean Spent a rainy winter in the Pacific Northwest before returning to St. Louis the next year Lewis and Clark brought back a wealth of scientific information and proof that an all-water route to the Pacific did not exist

Pike’s Expedition 1806 – An expedition led by Zebulon Pike left St. Louis on a southerly route (L&C took the northern route) across Louisiana Pike’s mission was to find the sources of the Red and Arkansas Rivers The Red River formed a boundary between Louisiana and Spanish territory Pike’s expedition (around 24 people) headed westward across the Great Plains until they reached the Arkansas River Followed the Arkansas River to the Rocky Mountains Pike tried to but failed to climb what later became known as “Pike’s Peak” Later turned south in search of the Red River but found the Rio Grande (in Spanish territory) instead They were arrested by Spanish troops and finally released back to the US in 1807, bringing back valuable descriptions of the area

The Effects of Exploration Accurate maps – Lewis, Clark, and Pike all made accurate maps that settlers used to travel through, explore, and settle Louisiana Boosted interest in the fur trade – More people became hunters and trappers and added to the growing body of knowledge of the Louisiana territory Corrected misconceptions of the Great Plains – Pike inaccurately describe the Plains as a desert and the voyages helped to correct misinformation (many people thought the Great Plains were poor for farming