The Louisiana Purchase and Exploration The Louisiana Purchase and Exploration Chapter 10, Section 2
The West In 1800 the “West” meant the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. The US border was the Mississippi River but there was a great deal of activity further west.
After the French and Indian War Spain took control of the Louisiana Territory and New Orleans Spain was a relatively weak neighbor and relations were generally good between the two. In 1800, France and Spain began negotiating for ownership of the Louisiana Territory which returned to French control
The Pacific Northwest and the Oregon country also drew increasing attention. Spain, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States all claimed land in the region
The Mississippi River and New Orleans Use of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans was vital to those living in the “west” so much so that they were willing to go to war to protect it. After France regained control of the Louisiana territory, Jefferson offered to buy New Orleans from France.
The Louisiana Purchase Napoleon offered to sell the United States the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million dollars or about 3 cents an acre. This purchase would double the size of the United States
Reasons for Napoleon’s Offer He was alarmed by America’s determination to keep the port open. Revolts in the French West Indies may have lessened his desire for colonies. The war with Britain was costly and made money more valuable than land.
Jefferson’s Dilemma As a strict constructionist, the Constitution did not authorize the president to buy land. Jefferson wanted a nation of small farmers which would be benefitted by having more land. He decided to make the purchase
Lewis and Clark Explore Meriwether Lewis Jefferson’s private secretary was chosen to lead the trip. Lewis asked his friend Lieutenant William Clark to select and oversee a volunteer force. Clark was a skilled mapmaker, and outdoorsman, and a strong leader
Lewis and Clark Explore The Corps of Discovery set out in the summer of 1803 and spent the winter in St. Louis waiting for March when the Louisiana Territory would officially belong to the United States
Up the Missouri River Goals of the trip: –Find a water route across the continent –Establish good relations w/ Native Americans –Describe the landscape, plants, and animals
Up the Missouri River Travelling against the current was hard and it took from May to October to make it to what is now North Dakota where the expedition stayed with the Mandan tribe. Here they met Sacagawea who joined the expedition as a translator and guide
On to the Pacific Ocean The explorers had to carry their boats around the Great Falls of the Missouri River. The Shoshone chief recognized Sacagawea as his sister and traded horses to the expedition and helped them cross the Rocky Mountains
On to the Pacific Ocean In November 1805 they reached the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River. The following spring they returned to St. Louis
Results of the Expedition Brought back a wealth of scientific and geographic information. Learned that an all water route across the continent did not exist. Americans got an exciting report of the West.
Pike’s Expedition Zebulon Pike’s mission was to find the sources of the Arkansas and the Red Rivers. Followed the Arkansas River to the Rocky Mountains. Failed to find the Red River and were arrested in Spanish Territory
Pike’s Expedition Brought back descriptions of the Great Plains and the Rio Grande River Valley
Effects of Exploration Accurate maps: Lewis and Clark and Pike produced the first good maps of the Louisiana Territory. Growth of the fur trade: exploration boosted interest and hunters and trappers added to knowledge of the west. Mistaken View of the Great Plains: The plains were described as a useless desert