The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Materials needed: Chapter 10.2 of textbook (not including “Pike Explores the West”), “The Louisiana Wholesale
Clearance,” and “Lewis and Clark” from Oh, Yikes.
Part I: Use pages 270-271 of your textbook to answer the following questions after reading and discussing with your
group.
A) Why were the Mississippi River and the city of New Orleans important to Western
farmers?
Poor roads and trade routes made the Mississippi River necessary to transport goods to the Eastern Coast. New Orleans
was also used as a place to store goods before shipping.
B) Why was Pinkney’s Treaty important?
Because Spain would sometimes close the Port of New Orleans, George Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to form an
agreement with Spain to keep the Port of New Orleans open to Western farmers. At the same time, the U.S. settled our
land with Spain over Florida. As a result, the treaty also improved national security by creating security along our
Western and Southern borders.
C) If we had Pinkney’s Treaty, why did Jefferson feel the need to buy New Orleans?
France regained the Louisiana Territory, including New Orleans, from Spain in a treaty in 1800. New Orleans was
controlled by the French under Napoleon – and Pinckney’s Treaty was void.
D) How did the United States acquire the entire Louisiana Purchase when Jefferson only
sent Robert Livingstone and James Monroe to purchase New Orleans?
When Livingstone and Monroe arrived with $10 million to buy New Orleans, Napoleon offered all of the Territory for
$15 million because:
-
-
He needed money for his war against Britain.
Napoleon doesn’t need the Louisiana Territory anymore. He wanted the territory to grow food for the slaves that
work on France’s lucrative (money-making) plantations in Haiti – BUT – the slaves successfully rebelled and
took over Haiti.
Napoleon refocuses on Europe – his ultimate goal was to take over the entire world, but when he loses Haiti, he
realizes it will be hard to take over the Western Hemisphere.
The deal is too good to pass up. Jefferson authorizes the purchase.
Part II
A) How did Jefferson’s purchase of New Orleans go against his political beliefs?
Jefferson had to use a loose interpretation of the Constitution to buy New Orleans and the Louisiana Purchase. He took
on powers the president didn’t have to purchase Louisiana. The Constitution doesn’t give the president power to buy
anything or to acquire territory. After the purchase he has Congress pass a treaty. While the president can create treaties
with other countries, they must be approved by Congress FIRST.
B) What are the geographical boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase?
The geographical boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase are the Mississippi River in the East and Rocky Mountains in the
West. Canada is the northern geographical border and Spanish Territory is the Southern geographical boundary.
C) What hardships did the explorers face on the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Hardships of the explorers on the Lewis and Clark Expedition included incredibly poor diet, poor sanitation, extreme
weather, BUGS, and extreme travel conditions.
D) In what ways were Native Americans essential to the success of the Expedition? Your
answer must include Sacajawea and other Native American contributions.
With one exception, Lewis and Clark had peaceful relations with Indians. Sacajawea, a Shoshone guide, was essential to
their survival, acting as translator and guide (both in directions and edible food). Sacajawea helped by encouraging other
Natives to accept Lewis and Clark. Natives provided food, shelter, and other necessary provisions, such as horses, at
many points throughout the Expedition.
E) Why was the Louisiana Purchase such a great deal?
For $15 million, or 3 cents and acre, the United States:
-doubled in size
-increased national security – size made us more formidable
-gained unrestricted control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans
-kept the Louisiana Territory out of British hands if the French lost the war
-got the French out of North America
-We gained HUGE opportunities to expand – both in land and resources
F) Why were many Americans skeptical (doubtful) about Jefferson buying the Louisiana
Purchase?
Some felt Jefferson was being hypocritical – what happened to a strict interpretation of the Constitution? Mostly, $15
million was a lot of money then and no one knew what was out there- Desserts? Mammoths? How do you spend that
much money to buy something and not know what’s there?
G) Describe the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark
Expedition.
H) Why did Jefferson commission (pay for) the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase for many reasons. He wanted them to find a water route
to the Pacific along the Missouri River (unsuccessful) and to catalogue weather, plants, and animals along the way. He
also wanted Lewis and Clark to establish diplomatic and trade relations with Natives, make maps, and find resources. We
have a huge amount of land. What’s there and how can we use it to help the United States?