Thomas Jefferson – The Country’s Greatest President

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Territory continued to be controlled by Spain until 1800.

A war fought in Europe between Spain and France ended with a victory for Napoleon and the French.

Secretly, the Louisiana Territory was transferred from Spain to France as a result of that European war.

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson learned that Louisiana Territory was now controlled by France

French ownership of the Louisiana Territory posed several problems for the U.S.—mainly the French were popular with the Indians and the French presence blocked any sort of westward movement by U.S. citizens into the Louisiana Territory

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

The other major problem involved the city of New Orleans. New Orleans controlled all river trade. River trade came from not only the Louisiana Territory, but also from the United States. If France decided to close the city of New Orleans to U.S. trade, then the U.S. would suffer great economic hardship.

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson realized the problems involved with France owning the Louisiana Territory.

Jefferson sends Robert Livingston and James Monroe to buy New Orleans and West Florida for $2 million from France.

Livingston and Monroe may spend UP to $10 million.

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

Despite being more money and more land than expected, both Livingston and Monroe quickly agree to the deal.

The deal poses a personal problem for Jefferson—is this small government? Still, Jefferson agrees to the deal.

Congress debates the issue—lots of money involved—still, they agree to it.

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

Napoleon experiences slave rebellion trouble in the French colony of Saint Domingue located in the Caribbean.

Napoleon also needs money for another war with Great Britain. He decides to sell ALL of the Louisiana Territory. His price: $15 million.

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7. The Louisiana Purchase

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Lewis and Clark

For a variety of reasons, Jefferson decides to send a military expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory.

Jefferson’s personal secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis, is placed in charge of the expedition. The men on this expediton are called the Corps of Discovery.