Module 7: The Louisiana Purchase

​Bell Ringer (5 minutes)

By Teresa Smith

​Prompt: Imagine you are the president of a young nation. Another country offers to sell you a huge piece of land that will double your country’s size—but you’re not sure it’s constitutional. Would you buy it? Why or why not?

​Directions: You will read and respond to the question prompt. You are required to write 3 or more sentences.

Open Ended

Prompt: Imagine you are the president of a young nation. Another country offers to sell you a huge piece of land that will double your country’s size—but you’re not sure it’s constitutional. Would you buy it? Why or why not?

​Standard:8.5-Interpret the geographical, social, and political causes, effects, and challenges of westward expansion.

Objective:8.5.1- Evaluate the reasoning behind the Louisiana Purchase.

Objective:8.5.2-Discuss the significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

I Can Statement: I can explain why the United States decided to purchase the Louisiana Territory.

​ Historical Context

In the early 19th century, the United States was a young nation striving to establish its identity and expand its borders. The territory of Louisiana, originally owned by France, was vast and rich in resources. In 1800, France regained control of this territory but faced challenges in maintaining it due to various factors, including conflicts in Europe and the Haitian Revolution

Multiple Choice

In the early 19th century, the United States was trying to:

• become a world empire

• establish its identity and expand its borders

• stay the same size

• give land back to Europe

Multiple Choice

The Louisiana Territory was originally controlled by:

• Britain

• Spain

• Mexico

• France

​Thomas Jefferson wanted to expand the borders of the United States, but the one problem that the new nation faced was it had no ports, physical locations for ships to load or unload on the Gulf of Mexico. Farmers in the West had to ship their crops on boats down the Mississippi River to the port of New Orleans, but the port of New Orleans was controlled by Spain. In 1801, there was a secret Treaty, a legally binding agreement, or promise written between two or more countries. The treaty was written between Spain and France, which Spain gave Louisiana Territory back to France. The Louisiana territory was a huge area to the West of Mississippi that included New Orleans, which was an essential port for river trade. In 1802, Spain shut American shipping out of New Orleans.

​The Treaty Agreement

Match

Match the term to the description

• physical locations for ships to load and unload.

• a legally binding agreement, or promise written between two or more countries.

• wanted to expand the borders of the United States.

• key port city the controlled American trade.

• main river used by farmers to ship goods

ports

Treaty

Thomas Jefferson

New Orleans

Mississippi River

• ports

• Treaty

• Thomas Jefferson

• New Orleans

• Mississippi River

Thomas Jefferson feared that France would close New Orleans to American trade, so he sent James Monroe to Paris to try and purchase New Orleans. The French, however, offered to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States. I​n 1803, the United States made a groundbreaking real estate deal known as the Louisiana Purchase, a deal for $15 million that doubled the size of the United States. . The Louisiana purchase was a remarkable bargain this purchase extended from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, effectively doubling the size of the United States at that time. The reasoning behind this purchase was deeply rooted in several factors, including the desire for westward expansion, agricultural opportunities, and the need for control over the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

​The Louisiana Purchase

Multiple Choice

What year was the Louisiana Purchase a remarkable bargain?

• 1801

• 1802

• 1893

• 1803

Multiple Choice

Who did Thomas Jefferson send to Paris to purchase New Orleans?

• William Clark

• James Monroe

• Meriwether Lewis

• Christopher Columbus

Multiple Choice

The Louisiana Purchase cost the United States:

• $5 million

• $15 million

• $10 million

• $20 million

​ Lewis and Clark Expedition

following the Louisiana purchase and how it was good for the United States country. Thomas Jefferson wanted the Americans to learn more about the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1804, Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition a long journey to explore the Louisiana Purchase. This expedition was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Their mission was to map the land, establish trade with Native American tribes, and find a practical route to the Pacific Ocean. the Lewis and Clark Expedition provided the United States with a wealth of knowledge about the geography, biology, and cultures of the western territories. The expedition documented various plants and animals previously unknown to the American public and helped establish relations with several Native American tribes. Lewis and Clark opened the door for future settlers and explorers, ultimately shaping the course of American westward expansion. both the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition played pivotal roles in the early development of the United States.

Multiple Choice

The Lewis and Clark Expedition began in 1804.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Who led the Louisiana Territory expedition?

• Jefferson and Madison

• Lewis and Clark

• Monroe and Adams

• Pike and Houston

​Exit Ticket

Write a short summary about today's lesson.

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: Write a short summary of what was most interesting about today's lesson.