Louisiana Purchase Research Paper

The Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803. It was a land deal between the U.S. and France where the U.S. obtained over 800,000 square miles of land for $15 million. What was known as the Louisiana Territory extended from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west.

President Thomas Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris to join Livingston in the New Orleans purchase talks. The French had asked Livingston if the U.S. was interested in purchasing the whole Louisiana Territory. They immediately negotiated and on April 30, they reached an agreement to purchase all of the Louisiana Territory, including New Orleans, for $15 million. The treaty was signed on May 2 and then in October, the U.S. senate ratified the purchase. Finally,

in December of 1803, France transported authority over to the United States. The purchase of the Louisiana Territory for the great price was one of Thomas Jefferson’s most notable achievements as president.

(Westward Expansion)
Lewis and Clark began their journey in Missouri in May of 1804. The first part of the expedition followed the route of the Missouri River. Clark spent most of his time on the keelboat while they traveled, making maps and charting the course. Lewis was usually ashore, studying soil, plants, rock formations, etc. By the end of July, they had traveled more than 600 miles up the river!
Sacagawea was a Native American who guided their journey because she was familiar with the native land. The Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean in November of 1805. The following year, Lewis and Clark and their 2 groups made the rest of the journey to St. Louis, Missouri together. The whole voyage spanned about 8,000 miles by boat, on horseback, and on foot. Lewis and Clark’s expedition was important because it led a way to the West and it led to many discoveries.