1. Ask the students what they notice about the Louisiana Territory.
How does this impact the size of the United States?
Why was it such a valuable area of land?
What waterways did the U.S. now control?

2. Thomas Jefferson rationalizing his unconstitutional authorization of the Louisiana Purchase
“ It is the case of a guardian, investing the money of his ward in purchasing an important adjacent territory; and saying to him when of age, I did this for your own good.” Who is the guardian? Who is he looking after? What analogy is he making (what is he saying the United States is like)?

3. Captain William Lewis on the Teton Sioux
“These are the vilest miscreants of the savage race, and must ever remain the pirates of the Missouri, until such measures are pursued, by our government, as will make them feel a dependence on it...” Who is he describing? What does he mean by the phrase, “pirates of the Missouri?”

4. Captain William Clark
“Ocean in view! O! The joy!” What ocean was he talking about? Why was he happy to see the ocean?