Class Starter What effect did the Election of 1800 have on the country? What effect did the Louisiana Purchase have on the country?

The Louisiana Purchase and the Expedition of Lewis and Clark

The Louisiana Purchase 1762: France gave Spain the Louisiana Territory after the French and Indian War. 1800: Napoleon persuaded Spain to return the land to France (he wanted to build an American Empire). 1803: Napoleon abandons the Empire idea and sells the land to the United States for 15 million, doubling the size of the United States. 1804: Jefferson send Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the area.

Lewis and Clark Expedition The Lewis and Clark Expedition began in Saint Louis on May 14, 1804. The Corp of Discovery was charged with the task of finding water routes to the Pacific and exploring the uncharted west. The trip spanned 8000 miles and 3 years. They traveled by boat, on foot, and on horseback. They traveled the Ohio River, up the Missouri River, across the Continental Divide and over to the Pacific Ocean.

Captain Meriwether Lewis Meriwether Lewis was born in 1774. He joined the army at 20 years old. He was made President Jefferson’s personal secretary in 1801. Jefferson asked Lewis to lead the Corps of Discovery. Lewis was the scientist on the journey, keeping detailed records of the plants and animals they found.

William Clark William Clark was born in 1770 and at 19 joined the military. Clark met Meriwether Lewis when they were both in the army. Lewis asked Clark to help him lead the expedition across the country. Clark was the geographer on the trip, keeping a detailed diary including many drawings and maps.

Sacagawea Touissant Charbonneau and his wife Sacagawea later joined the expedition and acted as interpreters for the Corp of Discovery. Sacagawea was a valuable member of the expedition. She had an intimate knowledge of the land and helped smooth the way when they encountered Native American tribes.

Other Members of the Expedition Jean Baptiste Charbonneau: Son of Sacagawea and Charbanneau York: William Clark’s slave; he was devoted to Clark and was a big help because he became a curiosity. Seaman: Captain Lewis’s dog.

Results of the Expedition The Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean in November of 1805. They arrived back in Saint Louis on September 23, 1806. Through Lewis’s careful work numerous discoveries of previously unknown plants and animals were made. Contact with many native American groups was made. Accurate maps of the west. Beginnings of a fur trade.

Long Term Effects of the Lewis and Clark Expedition The lives the Native Americans had known would be forever changed with the many people who followed Lewis and Clark. Some Native American groups were decimated by diseases like small pox. The reservation system would later be instigated. The migration of people into the American west would begin as people wanted to settle this new frontier.

Use this map to help do your map. Just follow directions on Map Use this map to help do your map. Just follow directions on Map. You can also use the internet to look up the rest. British Territory Oregon Territory

Exit Slip What view did Jefferson take toward the National Government? How did the Louisiana purchase challenge that?