Social Studies Ch.10 Sect.2
Why did the French offer to sell Louisiana to the United States?
The French needed to fund their wars in Europe
What were the results of the explorations of Lewis and Clark and of the Zebulon Pike?
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Identify the 2 goals and one result of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
2 Goals were to study the new lands and to map a route to the Pacific Ocean. One result of the expedition was they met Sacagawea. Sacagawea belonged to the Shoshone(shoh shoh nee) people, who lived in the Rockies. She and her French Canadian husband agreed to accompany Lewis and Clark as translators. The Shoshones supplied the expedition with food and horses. They also advised Lewis and Clark about the best route to take over the Rockies.
Why did Jefferson seek to control the Mississippi River?
He knew we needed control to be able to transport goods. Also, in 1800, Spain signed a treaty giving Louisiana back to France. President Jefferson was alarmed. He knew that the French ruler, Napoleon Bonaparte, had already set out to conquer Europe. He was worried Bonaparte would now try to build an empire in North America.
How did the U.S. purchase Louisiana?
Jefferson sent Robert Livingston and James Monroe to purchase New Orleans from France. They negotiated with Talleyrand and then with Napoleon, who needed money to fund his wars in Europe. Suddenly Talleyrand asked Livingston if the U.S. wanted to buy all of Louisiana. Monroe and Livingston offered Napoleon 15 million.
Why was control of the Mississippi River important to the United States?
Western farmers relied heavily on the Mississippi River to transport their wheat and corn. Spain control the New Orleans Port which was vital in the transportation of goods. Thomas Pinckney was sent by the U.S. (President Washington) to find a way to keep the port open (Pinckney Treaty). (In 1800 Spain would sign a treaty to give back New Orleans to France.)
