US History

U.S. History Study Guide

©2018 of 194 8.19 The Louisiana Purchase Napoleon, who was emperor of a large area of Europe, managed to regain some of the land France had lost after the French and IndianWar. Jefferson sent a delegation to Paris to try to buy NewOrleans and after Napoleon’s defeat in Santo Domingo he realized Louisiana was at risk for invasion by the U.S., he also needed money to sponsor his war in Europe further. He offered to sell the entire territory to the United States for fifteen million dollars. The American delegation accepted the offer in April 1803, even though they had no authority to buy more than the city of New Orleans. Not only did the United States double their land, they controlled the Mississippi River, which gave the U.S. great control moving westward. The Constitution Dilemma Jefferson’s stand on the strict interpretation of the Constitution ironically put him at odds withmaking the deal for the Louisiana Purchase, because he did not have Congressional approval. Under the guidance of his counsel, Jefferson went on the stance that his treaty making powers included the authority to buy land. Congress agreed and the purchase price was allocated and thus the United States doubled her size in one stroke of a pen. Exploring the West Even before Napoleon’s offer, Jefferson had authorized an expedition to explore the Western territory to the Pacific Ocean. The Lewis and Clark group with 48 men left St. Louis in 1804, and returned two years later with a wealth of scientific and anthropological information as well as having strengthened the United States’ claim to the Oregon Territory. At the same time, Zebulon Pike and others had been traversing the middle parts of Louisiana and mapping the land. The Essex Junto In 1804, New England Federalists saw the Western expansion as a threat to their position in the Union, and they tried to organize a secessionist movement. Since Alexander Hamilton denied the offer when they attempted to enlist him, they courted Aron Burr’s support by offering to back him, in a bid, for the governorship of New York. Hamilton led the opposition to that campaign and when Burr lost the election he was fueled to a boiling point. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr's Duel The feud between these two men can be dated back to the American Revolution when they fought together as officers. Several times these men were at odds; however, things got really messy after the election of 1800. Many people voted for the ticket for the Republicans selecting both Burr and Jefferson but when both men were tied, Jefferson thought Burr would naturally decline knowing that it was Jefferson they wanted but Burr hesitated and after he was never truly respected by Jefferson. While this was going on Hamilton railed against Burr again and Jefferson won the presidency. Achieve Page 101