US Territorial Expansion - The Louisiana Purchase of 1803
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U.S. Territorial Expansion (1783-1959)
Lesson Plans by Richard Cleggett
After the United States gained their independence, they set their sights on the territory to the west, and the expansion carried on into the 20th century. War, economics, culture, and innovation are prevalent and recurring themes surrounding territorial expansion. Engage students with premade activities and storyboards with Storyboard That.
Storyboard Description
US Territorial Expansion - The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 - This spider graph details the 5 Ws of the Louisiana Purchase, the largest land acquisition in American history. Originally seeking to purchase New Orleans for trade purposes, President Thomas Jefferson sent emissary John Jay to negotiate a deal with France. However, Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte went a step further offering the U.S. the entirety of the territory. $15 million dollars later, the U.S. had doubled in size, inspiring a new generation of Americans to venture westward. Students will be able to analyze and explain the major concepts and aspects of the Louisiana Purchase utilizing the spider storyboard graph, as well as how significant the purchase is to understanding U.S. territorial expansion and overall history.
Storyboard Text
- WHO WAS INVOLVED?
- WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED?
- WHERE IS THIS?
- Louisiana Territory
- The Louisiana Purchase was a deal between the United States and France. Napoleon Bonparte, Emperor of France, needed to sell the land for funds. President Thomas Jefferson sent John Jay to negotiate the deal.
- Napoleon Bonaparte of France needed to fund his army warring in Europe. Louisiana was of no value to him, so when Jefferson inquired about purchasing the city of New Orleans, Napoleon offered the whole territory. This would double the size of the United States!
- The Louisiana Territory stretched from the mouth and along the eastern border of the Mississippi River, west as far as present day Montana, and north to present day Minnesota. The territory will go on to double the size of the United States for a price of $15 million.
- WHEN DID THIS OCCUR?
- 5 W's: THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE OF 1803
- WHY IS THIS EXPANSION IMPORTANT?
- This is all OURS!
- The Louisiana Territory was controlled by France in 1699, but eventually ceded to Spain in 1762. In 1800, under Napoleon Bonaparte, France regained control of the region. France and the U.S negotiated the purchase, giving all claims to America, in 1803.
- 1803
- The Louisiana Purchase is the largest land acquisition in U.S. history. The land itself proved vital for future economic endeavors, including agriculture. With the new land, the young United States gained control of the Mississippi and key trade ports, including New Orleans.
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