Louisiana Purchase
Vocabulary Conestoga Wagon secede
Western Territory During the early 1800’s Americans moved West in search of land and adventure. They headed over the mountains of KY & TN and settled in areas of the NWT.
Western Territory Settlers loaded their belongings into Conestoga Wagons. These were sturdy vehicles topped with white canvas. The 2 most valued possessions of these settlers were a rifle for hunting & protection, an ax for hacking their way through dense forests.
Western Territory In 1800 the territory of the U.S. extended only to the Mississippi River. Area west of the Mississippi River was the Louisiana Territory belonging to Spain. It extended from New Orleans to the Rocky Mtns.
Western Territory Many farmers settle along the rivers that fed into the Mississippi R. The river was needed to get crops to market. Spain allowed the Americans to sail on the lower Mississippi R. so they could off load cargo for shipment to the East Coast, as well as trade in New Orleans.
The French Threat In 1802 Spain changed their policy refusing to allow American goods to move into or past New Orleans.
The French Threat That same year President Jefferson confirmed that Spain made a secret agreement transferring the Louisiana Territory to France.
The French Threat This agreement posed a threat to the U.S. since Napoleon Bonaparte had aspirations for empires in Europe as well as the Americas. Jefferson believed french control would Jeopardize American trade along the Mississippi R.
The French Threat Jefferson believed France had acquired West Florida as well as the Louisiana Territory. Jefferson sent Robert Livingston, foreign minister to France, with an offer of $10 million dollars for West Florida & the Louisiana Territory.
Revolt in Santo Domingo Napoleon saw Santo Domingo as an important naval area in which to use to control an American Empire. Revolts took place by enslaved Africans and other laborers against plantation owners led by Toussaint- Louverture.
Revolt in Santo Domingo Louverture declared Santo Domingo an independent republic and set up a new government. Louverture would be captured by the French, but they could not maintain control of the island. In 1804 the French were driven off the island and it regained it’s name of Haiti.
The Nation Expands Without Santo Domingo Napoleon had little use for the Louisiana Territory. The French also needed money to for Napoleon’s plans for war against Britain.
The Nation Expands The French believed they had something the Americans might want to buy. French foreign Minister Charles Talleyrand in formed American diplomats the entire Louisiana Territory was for sale!!!
The Nation Expands Robert Livingston & James Monroe, special representatives, were taken completely by surprise. Accepting the offer went far beyond what they were authorized to do, but the deal was too good too pass up.
The Nation Expands After a few days of negotiations a price of $15 million was settled on. Jefferson was pleased, however, there was no Constitutional Authorization for this and Jefferson could have been impeached.
The Nation Expands The Senate gave its approval for the purchase ratifying the treaty and DOUBLING the size of the country for $15 million.