The Louisiana Purchase:Chapter 6, Section 2

Geography shapes the physical, economic, and political challenges a region faces. The Louisiana Purchase opened a vast area to

exploration and settlement.

Western Territory

● As Americans moved west in the early 1800s, Spain and France made a secret agreement about land that affected American trade.○ “The pride and delight of Americans is in their quantity of

land...The possession of land is the aim of all action...and the cure for all social evils...If a man is disappointed in politics or love, he goes and buys land.”

Moving West

● More and more (farmers) moved west → land/adventure○ In conestoga wagons, over Appalachian mountains, into

KY/TN, setting in NW Territory (stopped at Mississippi River), everything beyond that (the Louisiana Territory) belonged to Spain

○ Spanish allowed Americans use of MS River, to trade down in New Orleans, vital to their success

The French Threat

● 1802, Spanish suddenly changed their policy, refusing Americans to move in/past New Orleans

● Jefferson learned that France and Spain had made a secret deal transferring Louisiana to French control○ Worried at what this could mean for trade, he authorized

Robert Livingston to negotiate purchase of New Orleans and other French territories

Revolt in Santo Domingo

● Napoleon hoped to use Santo Domingo as naval base to control American empire, but a revolt quickly ended that dream○ Inspired by French Revolution, slaves/laborers rebelled

against plantation owners until their leader, Toussaint-Louverture, declared it an independent republic/government

○ France failed to regain control and were eventually driven out of Haiti

1. Why was the Mississippi River important to western farmers?

The Nation Expands● The Louisiana Purchase opened a vast area to

exploration and settlement.● Without Santo Domingo, Napoleon had little use

for Louisiana, and knew the US would want it○ After a few days of negotiation, Livingston and James

Monroe agreed with French representatives to purchase Louisiana Territory for $15 million

○ Jefferson was pleased, but worried about legality, Senate approved shortly after and US officially doubled in size

The Expedition West● West of the Mississippi

River was unknown● Peaked Jefferson’s interest

○ Persuaded Congress to sponsor an expedition■ Jefferson - science■ Congress - natural

resources/military possibility

Merriwether Lewis and William Clark● Jefferson’s selection for expedition…

○ Both amateur scientists with military background○ Crew consisted of gunsmiths, carpenters, scouts, cook,

interpreters, servant (skilled hunter)● Kept notes (people, plants, animals, geography)

○ From St. Louis, along Missouri River, down into Oregon Country and Pacific Ocean (18 months/4,000 miles), home

● Encountered many native Americans○ Sacagawea joined group as a guide

● Allowed America to stake claim in northern region of US, and encouraged many to travel west

1. Why were Livingston and Monroe taken by surprise at the French offer to sell the entire Louisiana Territory?

2. What risk did President Jefferson face in purchasing the Louisiana Territory?

3. What goals did Jefferson and Congress have when sending explorers into the Louisiana Territory?

4. Why would the fact that Lewis and Clark were amateur scientists and had military experience help their expedition?

5. Why would Sacagawea have been helpful to Lewis and Clark?

Pike’s Expedition

● Before Lewis/Clark returned, Jefferson sent out others to explore○ Zebulon Pike led two expeditions

in what is now Colorado■ Found (Grand) Pike’s Peak

○ First details description of Great Plains and Rocky Mountains

Federalists Plan to Secede

● Many Federalists opposed Louisiana Purchase○ Feared new states would be Republican

● Group of Massachusetts Feds. planned to secede, and for a separate “Northern Confederacy”○ Needed New York and New England for support if they

were to be successful

Federalists Support Burr

● Burr (Federalist) ran for governor of New York○ Changed parties because of Jefferson (poor relationship

following election)■ Had served one term as VP under Jefferson, George

Clinton served the second term● Massachusetts Feds. needed powerful

friend/leader in NY to back plan, Burr was perfect

Burr and Hamilton

● Hamilton never trusted Burr○ He became even more weary of

him as Burr ran for governor and rumors circulated■ Accused Burr of plotting treason!

● Burr lost election in NY, blamed Hamilton○ Challenged him to a duel○ Burr shot Hamilton (who didn’t fire), died the next day○ Burr fled to avoid arrest for murder

The Northern Confederacy Fails

● Burr on the run and no support in New England…○ Massachusetts Feds. plan fell apart

● Federalists had become discredited

1. Why did France sell the Louisiana Territory to the US?2. What action had Hamilton taken to oppose Burr in the 1800

election? How might Burr have felt as a result?3. Which European countries controlled the Louisiana Territory

until 1800?4. Why was the French port of New Orleans important to the US?