Lewis and Clark

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Lewis and Clark
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The Louisiana Purchase

• Western Territory
• Americans began moving west in the early 1800s
• Established farms along the Mississippi River and
  traded in New Orleans
• 1802 Spain transferred Louisiana Territory to
  France. This worried Jefferson because he feared
  is would disrupt trade on the Mississippi River
  and in New Orleans.

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• The Nation expands
• U.S. offers to buy New Orleans for 10 million
  dollars.
• France sells ALL of the Louisiana Territory for
  15 million dollars.
• Approved by Senate in 1803
• The purchase doubles the size of the United
  States

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• The Lewis and Clark Expedition
• Meriweather Lewis and William Clark sent by
  Jefferson to explore the new land.
• Look for beginnings of Missouri River
• Look for Northwest Passage through Rocky
  Mountains to Pacific Ocean
• Learn about Indians in the territory and
  establish good relations with them which included
  trade.
• Gather information of plants, animals and
  minerals
• Make sketches and maps of all they found

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Journey of the Corps of Discovery
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• Expedition took two and a half years
• Known as the Corps of Discovery
• Began in 1804 in St. Louis
• Over 50 men in the party
• Met Sacagawea in North Dakota
• Acted as interpreter
• After 18 months and 4,000 miles they reached the
  Pacific.
• Returned in 1806
• Maps and journals were published
• Encouraged many to travel west