1. The Louisiana Purchase
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2. Objectives
Explain the importance of New Orleans and the crisis over its port
Describe how the United States gained the Louisiana Purchase
Discuss Lewis and Clark’s expedition

3. Focus Question
What was the importance of the purchase and exploration of the Louisiana Territory?

4. The Nation Looks West
1 million people lived between the Appalachia Mountains and the Mississippi River
They were farmers
Relied on the Mississippi River to carry goods to New Orleans
From the port at New Orleans, goods could be exported

5. The Problem: Spain controlled the Mississippi River and New Orleans
Several times Spain threatened to close the port to American ships

6. The Pinckney Treaty
Guaranteed the Americans’ right to ship their goods down the Mississippi River and into New Orleans
It was peaceful for awhile, UNTIL 1801
Jefferson discovered that Spain had secretly given New Orleans and the rest of its Louisiana Territory to FRANCE

7. Jefferson was afraid of Napoleon
Napoleon was already taking over areas of Europe
Jefferson feared he would take over America as well
If Napoleon took over Louisiana, westward expansion for the U.S. would be blocked

8. Buying Louisiana Sent James Monroe to France to make a deal
Tensions between Britain and France were on the rise again, and France needed money
Agreed to buy for $15 million

9. Jefferson’s Dilemma
The Constitution nowhere states that the President has the power to buy land from a foreign country
In the end, he decided he did have the authority
He reasoned that the President was allowed to make treaties

10. Lewis and Clark Explore the West
We didn’t know anything about the Louisiana Territory
Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to report back on geography, plants, animals, and other natural features

11. Into the Unknown
In 1804, Lewis and Clark left with 40 men – Americans and French Canadians, and slaves
Met Native Americans
Met Sacagawea – travelled with Lewis and Clark and acted as their translator
Finally reached Pacific Ocean in 1806
Brought the American people a new awareness of a rich and beautiful part of the continent

12. Pike’s Expedition Other Americans hoped to learn about the west
From , Zebulon Pike explored the southern part of the Louisiana Territory
His return trip took him into Spanish New Mexico – taken prisoner for 7 months, then finally released
Pike’s expedition created Great American interest in the region