1. Louisiana Becomes American
TLWBAT identify and analyze challenges that emerged when Louisiana joined the United States.

2. The Louisiana Purchase

3. Problems with new territory
The Louisiana Purchase area was very large and largely unknown
The Spanish system of land claims and titles caused problems
Undefined boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase created problems between the U.S. and Spain
Spanish Texas and American Territory of Orleans disputed the area near the Sabine River

4. Aaron Burr Conspiracy
Aaron Burr was a former vice president of the U.S.
He lost political influence when he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel
He plotted with the Spanish government to incite a rebellion against the French settlers in Louisiana
In return, he hoped to gain is own empire in the southern U.S.
Governor Wilkinson turned Burr in

5. Solutions to the Problems with new territory
President Jefferson sent out expeditions to map the unknown territory
In 1806, Spain and the United States set up a neutral zone between the Sabine River and the Calcasieu River

6. West Florida
West Florida (southern part of Mississippi and Alabama) was not included in the Louisiana Purchase, it remained Spanish
West Florida included the part of the state on the east side of the Mississippi River today called “the Florida Parishes”
For a very brief period, West Florida was an independent nation. In 1810, the U.S. annexed the area (annex means to add)

7. Great Slave Uprising of 1811
After the Louisiana Purchase, Louisiana’s economy improved and plantations grew
More slaves were brought into Louisiana, increasing tensions
A major slave uprising occurred near present-day town or Norco in St. Charles Parish
The leaders of the revolt organized the escaping slaves into companies complete with officers. They had no weapons except those they had made from farm tools
The revolt was unsuccessful and the leaders of the rebellion were killed and their heads displayed on poles

8. Divided in Two
The Louisiana Purchase was such a large amount of land that Congress divided the area into two territories
General James Wilkinson became governor of the area north of the 33rd parallel which was named the District of Louisiana
The District of Louisiana had its capital at Saint Louis
William C. C. Claiborne was appointed governor of the area south of the 33rd parallel (present-day Louisiana) known as the Territory of Orleans

9. Divided in Two Gov. Wilkinson District of Louisiana
Territory of Orleans
Gov. Claiborne