1. The Louisiana Purchase
10.2 G.R. Notes
The Louisiana Purchase
Pioneers
many were farmers
risked dangerous travel through mountains and forests
very few roads; had to clear paths themselves
search for land to farm and settle
Conestoga wagon
sturdy, topped w/ white canvas
built to travel through rough terrain
carried necessary cargo including rifles and axes

2. Louisiana Territory
first belonged to Spain
then France got it in a secret agreement
this endangered the Pinckney Treaty
new settlers in the area became concerned about the use of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
the KEY to trade for the interior of America
lots of smaller rivers feed into it
transportation of goods is critical to the economy
whoever controls the Mississippi River, controls a huge part of U.S. trade

3. Spain, France, New Orleans, & Secret Deals
suddenly Spain shuts off New Orleans in like it was pre-Pinckney Treaty
no American goods in or out of New Orleans! Bad news for U.S. economy.
U.S. raw materials (farmed goods) in the west had no easy way to get out to market
They needed the Mississippi River to transport goods & New Orleans controlled the entrance & exit.
...and now a secret deal: Spain gives it all to France!
I wonder what’s going to happen now that Spain unloaded this territory to France. Who is this Napoleon guy & What is he thinking? And what will happen to our trade route?
...quick French Revolution recap…
Yay!
Boo!
then who?

4. I’m dreaming of a western Empire!
Napoleon

5. Napoleon dreamed of controlling his future Western Empire from a naval base in Santo Domingo.
Where is Santo Domingo?
New Orleans

6. Toussaint L’Ouverture
Toussaint L’Ouverture led the resistance from French control in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Enslaved Africans & other laborers fought for freedom from the island’s plantation owners.
They won and gained independence!
The French tried to come back and regain control, but were unsuccessful.
No more Napoleon dreams of a Western Empire…
...would Napoleon change his attitude toward controlling North America?
Toussaint L’Ouverture

7. How & Why of the purchase
Jefferson wanted an arrangement from France to protect U.S. shipping in New Orleans.
Instead, the French needed money to continue to fight their war with Britain.
They offered to sell ALL of the Louisiana Territory.
Now the U.S. would double in size, have inexpensive land for settlers, and have control of the Mississippi River!
Jefferson worried whether he had the authority to buy the land.
He decided that the Constitution did allow him to do it because to the treaty-making powers it gave the President.
The Senate approved the purchase in 1803.

8. Lewis & Clark Expedition
Jefferson sent Lewis & Clark to explore the new territory.
They were to learn more about the land, its people, plants, and animals.
They surveyed and mapped the land to find good places for forts and settlements.
They were also in search of the “Northwest Passage” to see if it exists.
They inspired many people to move west.

9. Pike’s Expedition
Pike explored the upper Mississippi River and moved south.
He then went west into what is now Colorado.
The mountain, Pike’s Peak, is named after him.
He went southward into Spanish territory.
He and his men were captured and taken through what is now New Mexico & Texas.
They were treated with respect as the countries were not at war.
He and some of his men were later released near the border of the lower Louisiana purchase area.
Many of their notes were taken by the Spanish, but they were able to smuggle some of them out by rolling them and putting them in the barrels of their guns.

10. Response to the purchase
Federalists in the northeast opposed the purchase.
They feared that New England would lose power as the West was settled.
A few Federalists wanted to secede.
They asked Aaron Burr for help.
Hamilton accused Burr of plotting treason.
The duel…

11. Hamilton & Burr - the duel **another high school history project** ;)
Answers the question: What happened to Burr after the duel?
note: There is an ERROR in this. Alexander Hamilton’s son, Philip, was killed in a duel but NOT by Burr. Instead, George Eacker. Philip accepted the duel in defense of his father.

12. brief intro bio of Sacagawea…
Answers the question: How do you pronounce her name?
Sacagawea was the daughter of a Shoshone chief. Lewis and Clark hired her and her husband, a French Canadian fur trader, as interpreters. Sacagawea proved extremely valuable. She negotiated the purchase of horses, found edible plants, and made moccasins and clothing. According to Clark, her presence helped calm the fears of Native Americans the group met during their journey.
You will learn more about her in your webquest.