Controversy Over The Purchase

Chapter 11 section 4 pages 363-364

Debate over the Louisiana Purchase

• Jefferson and other democratic republicans were strict constitutionalists (believed the federal government can do only what the constitution says)

• The constitution does not give the federal government permission to buy land

• Jefferson had to have a treaty with France that stated he could purchase the land ratified by congress

Federalists Opposition:

• Federalists feared that the purchase would give the south more power by increasing the number of states that that supported slavery and southern policies

• They also believed that $15 million was too much to spend

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Page 364-366

Lewis and Clark• Meriwether Lewis and

William Clark were appointed by Jefferson to explore the new, unknown, territory

• Both men:– Were scientists– Had done business

with the native Americans in the past

– Were involved in the army

The expedition:

• The first scientific project in American History

• They were given specific orders to:– Find the source of the Mississippi River– Find a route across the Rocky Mountains– Observe the customs of the Native Americans

Starting out:

• Lewis and Clark began their journey in St. Louis Missouri

• They took supplies as well as gifts for the native Americans

• During their trip they recorded their journey in great detail

• They also sent back samples of items in the Louisiana Territory

Sacagawea:

• A guide and interpreter for Lewis and Clark

• Member of the Shoshone Tribe

• Had married a French trader

The Pacific Coast:

• With the help of Sacagawea and 6 other Shoshone guides, they were able to reach the Pacific Ocean in 1805

• They spent that winter in The Oregon Country

Return:

• The following spring they started back towards St. Louis

• They reached St. Louis in 1806

• The entire expedition took 2 years and 4 months

• It covered almost 8,000 miles

The Election of 1804

Page 366

The End of Jefferson's First Term:

• America was:– Prosperous– At peace– 2x the size

• Jefferson easily won reelection

• He replaced Aaron Burr with George Clinton as Vice President

Burr Conspiracy:

• Burr left the republican part to run for Governor of New York as an independent

• He sought federalist support but Alexander Hamilton campaigned against him

• Burr lost the election

Hamilton Vs. Burr

• Hamilton's followers continued to criticize Burr’s integrity

• Burr challenged Hamilton to a Duel

• Burr Shot Hamilton who died the next day

• Burr was put on trial for treason for trying to being a western empire for himself

• Although acquitted, he left the country shortly after