1. Writing Assistance Presidential Decisions— Thomas Jefferson: The Louisiana Purchase

2. Using the Spartan Writing Protocol (SWP)

3. Step 1: Read the task/question carefully.

4. Step 2: Circle key words and underline key concepts.

5. Step 3: Read the passage carefully

6. United States Presidents have made important decisions in an effort to solve crucial problems. Theme: Presidential Decisions

7. From your study of United States History, identify two important Presidential decisions and for each: Describe the historical circumstances surround the Presidential decision Describe the historical circumstances surround the Presidential decision Discuss one immediate or long-term effect of the decision on United States history. Discuss one immediate or long-term effect of the decision on United States history.Task:

8. Describe means “give a sketch or impression of the subject or topic.”

9. Discuss means “examine and talk about all sides of a subject or issue in a carefully organized manner.”

10. Step 4: Take notes that respond to the task/question

11. Presidential Decision To purchase the Louisiana Territory from France

12. Historical Circumstances (1/5) French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to get rid of France’s American colonies so he could fight wars in Europe.

14. Historical Circumstances (2/5) French diplomats approached the United States to see if they were interested in buying Louisiana, the land owned by France to the west of the Mississippi River, for $15 million ($.03 an acre).

15. Historical Circumstances (3/5) Since the founding of the country, the U. S. was threatened with wars with France and/or Britain. If France no longer had colonies in the Americas, a possible source of conflict could be removed.

16. Historical Circumstances (4/5) Jefferson, one of the strongest proponents of a strict interpretation of the Constitution, was conflicted because the document does not address the acquisition of territory. Jefferson decided that the Constitutional power of the Executive Branch to make treaties with foreign countries (pending Senate approval) implied the ability to negotiate to add territory.

17. Historical Circumstances (5/5) The deal was too good to pass up. Not only did he use a loose interpretation, but he also had to use Alexander Hamilton’s banking system he opposed to finance it.

18. SPECIFIC impact (1/3) The Louisiana Purchase helped fuel the idea of Manifest Destiny.The Louisiana Purchase helped fuel the idea of Manifest Destiny. Americans came to believe God wanted them to continue to expand westward, all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a belief called Manifest Destiny.Americans came to believe God wanted them to continue to expand westward, all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a belief called Manifest Destiny.

19. SPECIFIC impact (2/3) The Purchase double the size of the United States and gave it control of vital resources.The Purchase double the size of the United States and gave it control of vital resources. –Mississippi River –Port of New Orleans –The “breadbasket” of the United States – the Great Plains of the Midwest

20. SPECIFIC impact (3/3) Despite causing Jefferson to get criticized by going against this principles, the decision to buy Louisiana strengthened the country (and the presidency) and would motivate further land acquisitions until the country extended from “sea to shining sea.”Despite causing Jefferson to get criticized by going against this principles, the decision to buy Louisiana strengthened the country (and the presidency) and would motivate further land acquisitions until the country extended from “sea to shining sea.”

22. Presidential Decisions—Thomas Jefferson Decision Historical Circumstances Immediate or long-term effect To purchase the Louisiana Territory from France. French diplomats approached the United States to see if they were interested in buying Louisiana, the land owned by France to the west of the Mississippi River, for $15 million ($.03 an acre). Jefferson, one of the strongest proponents of a strict interpretation of the Constitution, was conflicted because the document does not address the acquisition of territory. The deal was too good to pass up. Not only did he use a loose interpretation, but he also had to use Alexander Hamilton’s banking system he opposed to finance it. Americans came to believe God wanted them to continue to expand westward, all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a belief called Manifest Destiny. Mississippi River Mississippi River The Louisiana Purchase helped fuel the idea of Manifest Destiny. French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to get rid of France’s American colonies so he could fight wars in Europe. The Purchase double the size of the United States and gave it control of vital resources. Port of New Orleans Port of New Orleans The “breadbasket” of the United States – the Great Plains of the Midwest The “breadbasket” of the United States – the Great Plains of the Midwest Despite causing Jefferson to get criticized by going against this principles, the decision to buy Louisiana strengthened the country (and the presidency) and would motivate further land acquisitions until the country extended from “sea to shining sea.” Jefferson decided that the Constitutional power of the Executive Branch to make treaties with foreign countries (pending Senate approval) implied the ability to negotiate to add territory. Since the founding of the country, the U. S. was threatened with wars with France and/or Britain. If France no longer had colonies in the Americas, a possible source of conflict could be removed.

23. Step 5: Complete the Evidence and Analysis boxes on your Spartan Writing Template (SWT)

24. Step 6: Write your claim.

25. United States Presidents have made important decisions in an effort to solve crucial problems. Thomas Jefferson’s decision to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France had a major impact on United States history.

26. Step 7: Determine the relevancy of your evidence in supporting your claim.

27. Step 8: Complete a concluding sentence box on your Spartan Writing Template (SWT). Thomas Jefferson’s decision to buy Louisiana set America on a course that led westward expansion and continental dominance.

28. Step 9: Write your response (using the Spartan Writing Template [SWT])

29. Step 10: Self-Assess your paragraph using the Spartan Writing Rubric