1. Aim: Why was the Louisiana Purchase significant to the U.S.?
Louisiana Purchase: a huge land purchase (from France) by the United States in 1803 which effectively doubled the size of the young nation.
Thomas Jefferson : 3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Facing another war with Great Britain and in need of funds, Napoleon Bonaparte reversed his thoughts of a new French Empire in the Americas and sold the entire colony.

3. Activating Prior Knowledge
1. Before the French and Indian War, what country had control of the land directly west of the Mississippi River?
France
2. After the French and Indian War, what country had control of this land?
  Spain
3. After the Revolutionary War, what were the boundaries of the U.S?
  The Land East of the Mississippi River
4. What document set these boundaries?
  The Treaty of Paris
5. Who had control of the land west of the Mississippi River after the Revolutionary War?

4. Historical Context of the Louisiana Purchase
As the Mississippi River became the chief trading channel for goods shipped among the states it bordered, the American government became greatly interested in purchasing New Orleans, an important port city and mouth of the river. Beginning in 1801, and with little luck at first, Thomas Jefferson sent envoys to France to negotiate the small purchase they had in mind.

5. Who or what does the eagle represent?
What is the artist’s opinion of the Louisiana Purchase?
How might the city of New Orleans prosper as a result of the Louisiana Purchase?

6. Thomas Jefferson’s Dilemma
Read the letter contained on the document
Complete the graphic organizer
Answer the questions that follow
We will discuss our findings

7. Did Jefferson Have the Power to complete this transaction?
Look at section 2 of the Constitution
This section deals with the powers of the President
With your partner, analyze whether the Constitution gives Jefferson the right to engage in this transaction?
Underline the sections you believe are relevant.

8. Article 2, section 2
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments
Where does it say that Jefferson had the power to complete the Louisiana Purchase?

9. The Treaty of the Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon of France wanted to sell France's territories in North America, in part to finance war against Britain in addition to ridding France of territory that was far away.
Constitution made no provisions for the president purchasing territory, Jefferson decided to push through the $15 million sale as treaty with France. Even though treaty making was a power of the presidency, this action was seen as a loose interpretation of the Constitution, clearly in opposition to Jefferson's own strict views on the document. Regardless of the Constitutional debate, the sale was completed and later ratified by the Senate.
(This is always on the Regents!!!!!!!)