Chapter 6: The Age of Jefferson Lesson 2: The Louisiana Purchase

Western Territory During the early 1800s more people moved west in search of land and adventure. Most of these pioneers were farmers who loaded their possessions on Conestoga wagons - sturdy vehicles topped with white canvas - for the journey across the Appalachian Mountains.

U.S. territory extended only to the Mississippi River. Land west of the river belonged to Spain. This land was enormous, extending south to the city of New Orleans and west to the Rocky Mountains. The Spanish allowed pioneers who established farms along the rivers that fed into the Mississippi River to travel the river to New Orleans to trade.

In 1802 Jefferson learned that Spain and France had made an agreement that transferred the Louisiana Territory to France. He sent Robert Livingston to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans and other French territory.

Napoleon Bonaparte, France’s leader, wanted Santo Domingo as a naval base. However, enslaved plantation workers led by Toussaint- Louverture, revolted and declared the colony independent. French troops tried to regain control, but they were defeated. Santo Domingo then became the republic of Haiti.

Question Break #1 American farmers in the West sent their goods down the __________ River to __________, where they were sent by ship to markets on the east coast. What country owned the Louisiana Territory?

The Nation Expands Napoleon had little use for Louisiana without Santo Domingo, so he offered to sell it.

Jefferson decided that the government’s treaty-making power allowed him to purchase territory, and the Senate approved. The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory for $15 million.

Jefferson persuaded Congress to sponsor an expedition west into the new territory. Jefferson chose Meriweather Lewis and William Clark to lead the journey. The expedition left St. Louis in 1804 and worked its way up the Missouri River. Meriweather Lewis and William Clark

Along the way, the crew encountered a Shoshone woman named Sacagawea who joined their group as a guide. The group traveled for 18 months, returning with valuable information about plants, people, and animals they encountered.

Jefferson sent Zebulon Pike on two expeditions into the upper Mississippi River Valley and the region now known as the state of Colorado.

Federalists in Massachusetts planned to secede, or withdraw, from the United States because they disagreed with the Louisiana Purchase. To succeed, the Federalists needed New York to support them, so they gave Burr their support when he ran for governor of New York. Hamilton called Burr “a dangerous man,” and Burr blamed Hamilton when he lost the governor’s election.

Hamilton and Burr met for a duel. Burr shot Hamilton, who died the next day. Burr fled to avoid being arrested for murder. The Federalists’ plans for a Northern Confederacy failed, and the Federalists lost the 1804 election.

Louisiana Purchase Missouri River Northwest to the Pacific Ocean Upper Mississippi River valley Central plains to present-day Colorado

Question Break #2 A revolt in which Caribbean nation helped to make the Louisiana Purchase possible? Why was Thomas Jefferson initially concerned about accepting the terms of the Louisiana purchase? What was the importance of the Louisiana purchase?