Ch. 6 – Age of Jefferson Section 2 – The Louisiana Purchase Proper heading

Western Territory In the early 1800s people moved west in search of land, food and adventure The pioneers traveled in Conestoga wagons over the Appalachian Mountains The wagons were sturdy vehicles with white canvas tops

When Jefferson took office the U When Jefferson took office the U.S territory ended at Mississippi River The land west of the Mississippi River belonged to Spain, extending south to New Orleans and west to the Rockies (Louisiana Territory)

In 1802 Spain transferred the Louisiana Territory to France Spain allowed farmers to travel the Mississippi River to trade at New Orleans In 1802 Spain transferred the Louisiana Territory to France Why might this cause Jefferson concern? Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans from France – it’s a VERY important port city Why was New Orleans so important? Farmers from the interior of the U.S. use the river and port to transport their goods

The Nation Expands French leader Napoleon Bonaparte had hoped to build an American Empire A revolt by the natives on the Caribbean island of Santo Domingo crushed those dreams Napoleon had little use for the Louisiana Territory with out Santo Domingo

How did Jefferson do it then???? The Constitution doesn’t say that the executive branch has the power to buy foreign land How did Jefferson do it then???? Jefferson used the power of the executive branch to enter into treaties to buy the Louisiana Territory for $15 million Who must approve the treaty? Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the land

Lewis and Clark leave St Lewis and Clark leave St. Louis in 1804 and traveled up the Missouri River to find the Northwest Passage

Lewis & Clark traveled for 28 months They brought back detailed notes about the plants, animals and people They traveled with a party of around 38 people including Sacagawea Clark made the first detailed maps of the Louisiana Territory

Why was New York important? Federalist Upset The federalists in Massachusetts planned to secede from the United States The Federalists believed that the Louisiana Purchase was unconstitutional Were they right? For the federalists to secede they needed the state of New York to support them Why was New York important?

V.P. Burr decided to support the federalists and ran for governor of New York Hamilton accused Burr of plotting treason Burr blamed Hamilton for his loss in the election of 1800 Burr and Hamilton met for a duel, Hamilton is killed - Burr flees the country