Chapter 8 Name ______
Section 2 -The Louisiana Purchase
The Big Idea:
Under President Jefferson’s leadership, the United States added the Louisiana Territory.
Key Terms and People:
Louisiana Purchase – Large land purchase from France. It roughly doubled the size of the U.S.
Meriwether Lewis – Former army captain chosen to be the co-leader of the expedition to explore the
new lands of the U.S.
William Clark – Co-leader of the expedition. A friend of Meriwether Lewis.
Lewis and Clark expedition – A group of about 50 men chosen to go with Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
Sacagawea – Served as a guide and interpreter for Lewis and Clark. A member of the Shoshone tribe.
Zebulon Pike – Army officer who discovered Pike’s Peak. Arrested by the Spanish
as a spy. He gave us knowledge of the southwest United States.
Key Questions:
1. Why was the port of New Orleans important to settlers in the western United States?
It was located at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Many settlers would buy and sell their goods there.
It gave easy access to a port for ships to and from Europe.
A foreign power might close the port to the US.
2. Why was Napoleon willing to sell all of the Louisiana Territory?
France was at war with Great Britain and needed money for military supplies.
Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory for $15 million. (A steal!)
3. Why did Americans feel that the Louisiana Purchase was important to the future of the United States?
Americans wanted the port of _New Orleans.
The offer of getting all of the Louisiana Territory as well as New Orleans was too good to pass up.
Many wanted to see if there was a water route to the Pacific Ocean.
4. Why was Zebulon Pike arrested by the Spanish?
They claimed he was a spy. He got lost exploring in Spanish_ lands.