ObjectivesDescribe how early pioneers met the challenges of frontier life.
Explain why President Jefferson agreed to buy Louisiana.
Describe the expedition to explore the lands of the Louisiana Purchase.
Vocabulary
Gap – a low place between mountains
Pioneer – an early settler of an area
Consequence – result of a specific action
Content Focus
In the 1700s and 1800s, many immigrants came to the United States. Some crossed over the Cumberland Gap to settle the frontier.
The Cumberland GapToday located where TN, VA, KY meet
Native Americans had a trail over the Appalachians through the gap.
Daniel BooneBest known PIONEER to cross AppalachianHired to widen the gapBuilt “The Wilderness Road”Becomes main route to WEST1792 – KY 15th state1st state west of Appalachians
Why was Wilderness Road important?
It helped pioneers cross the Appalachian mountains – opening up the West.
Hardships
The Wilderness Road was difficultNo storesBring ALL suppliesMany wanted to go anywayWhy? East is over populated. Land west is cheaper and more available.
State of FranklinDispute in North Carolina3 counties in west create own stateJohn Sevier – elected governorN.C. soon took back control.
Tennessee (TN)1796 – 16th stateSevier elected governorName comes from TANSAI = Cherokee VillageAdmitted to Union
Thomas Jefferson1801 – 3rd PresidentGoal = Expand BordersProblem-U.S. no ports on Gulf of MexicoPort of Orleans – owned by Spanish (remember French/Indian War?)
Big Purchase!1801 – Spain gives France Louisiana backU.S. Fear France would build settlements and prevent Americans from moving westNapoleon Bonaparte –Leader of France
Jefferson takes action
President Jefferson send officials to France
Request – U.S. wants to purchase New Orleans and Western Florida
This is just a small portion of Louisiana
France has problems!
Going to war with Britian
Short on money
Napoleon offers to sell ALL of Louisiana (800,000 square miles) for only $15 million
Lewis & Clark
Jefferson hires his friend Meriwether Lewis to led an expeditionLewis asks his friend William Clark to come Clark’s job = keep records & make mapsJefferson’s task Find most direct water route across continent
Corps of Discovery
Team of 40Called Corps of DiscoveryYork – slave owned by Clark is also on teamMay 1804 – Leave St. Louis, MOTravel by boat up Missouri RiverDrew maps, gathered plants & animals
OctoberStop for winterToday North DakotaFort Mandan (Indian Village)Hire French fur trader and Shoshone Indian wife, Sacagawea as guides
Spring 1805
Continue up Missouri riverReach the Rocky MountainsUsed horses to crossAfter, built boatsClearwater, Snake, and Columbia River
BenefitsMAPS show mountain passes & major rivers
Brought back seeds, plants, and animals
The work done by Corps of Discovery added to the knowledge Americans had about the lands that became the WEST.
Pike ExploresZebulon Pike – 1806
SW area of purchase
Saw “Blue Mountain”
Now in Colorado – named Pikes Peak
Pike ProblemStrayed into Spanish territoryArrestedAfter release – spread word of Spanish need for manufactured goodsMany traveled to SW to sell goods to Spanish
How did Louisiana Purchase affect the U.S.?
Doubled sizeExtended border to Rocky MountainsLed to exploration