Transcript The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase
“The greatest real estate deal in history.”
The Louisiana Purchase
Key Questions
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Why did the United States buy
the Louisiana Purchase?
Who were the significant people
involved in the Purchase and
exploration?
How did this Purchase affect the
United States?
The Louisiana Purchase
What is the land
like?
Who lives in
the land to
our West?
Does the
Mississippi
River connect
to the Pacific
Ocean?
Thomas
Jefferson
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Who can I
send to explore
this new land?
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803 President Jefferson sent James
Monroe to Paris to negotiate with
Napoleon (French ruler) for the
Louisiana territory
 For $15 million the U.S. purchased the
territory, about 4 cents/acre
 Largest land deal in history!
 Land extended from the Mississippi
River to the Rocky Mountains
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The Louisiana Purchase
Key Figures in the
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson
(purchaser)
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Third President of the
United States
Sent Lewis and Clark to
explore the territory of
the Louisiana Purchase
Sent Robert R.
Livingston and James
Monroe to negotiate
with the government of
Napoleon I for the sale
of New Orleans
Napoleon Bonaparte
(seller)
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Ruler of France during
the Louisiana Purchase
One of the greatest
military commanders in
history
Needed $ for war
James Monroe
(Negotiator)
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Study law under the
governor of Virginia,
Thomas Jefferson
Involved in the
negotiations for the
Louisiana Purchase in
France, Spain and
England
Eventually became fifth
President of the United
States
Robert R. Livingston
(Negotiator)
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Appointed resident
minister at the court of
Napoleon by President
Jefferson
Negotiated the
Louisiana Purchase with
the French
Lewis and Clark
(explorers)
 Jefferson assigned two
skilled frontiersmen,
Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark the task
of mapping the
Louisiana Territory
 Lewis & Clark traveled
with a crew of 45
explorers and kept
detailed journals
Sacagawea
(Guide/Interpreter)
 Wife of a FrenchCanadian fur trader
 Hired by Lewis & Clark
as guides and interpreters
 She showed explorers
where to fish, to hunt, and
to find wild vegetables
 She also helped trade
supplies with American
Indians
The Louisiana Purchase
Goals of the Expedition
1.
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Search for water route to Pacific Ocean
Establish relationship with Native
Americans
Pay close attention to the soil and face of
the country