1. The Louisiana Purchase

2. The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803 President Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris to negotiate with Napoleon (French ruler) for the Louisiana territory
For $15 million the U.S. purchased the territory, about 4 cents/acre
Largest land deal in history!

3. Lewis and Clark
Jefferson assigned two skilled frontiersmen, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark the task of mapping the Louisiana Territory
Lewis & Clark traveled with a crew of 45 explorers and kept detailed journals

4. Sacagawea Wife of a French-Canadian fur trader
Hired by Lewis & Clark as guides and interpreters
She showed explorers where to fish, to hunt, and to find wild vegetables
She also helped trade supplies with American Indians

5. Many Virginians Head West
Tobacco farming had worn out the soil, so farmers looked west for new opportunities.
The western territories had new opportunities and large areas of land.
Virginians took their traditions, ideas and cultures with them.