8th Grade Social Studies
Mr. Quaintance
Westward Expansion
Student Packet
Page 6
Introduction: The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, then president of the United States, Thomas
Jefferson, bought a huge piece of land; some people
thought it extravagant or worthless. It was all the land that
France had claimed in North America, and was called
Louisiana after a French king—Louis. The Louisiana
Purchase cost $15 million, or about four cents an acre, and
it doubled the nation's size. Jefferson said it was a vast new
"empire for liberty." He wrote, "In seizing [Louisiana I] ...
have done an act beyond the Constitution." And in another
letter he explained, "But it is incumbent on those ... who
accept great charges, to risk themselves on great
occasions."
Did you know?
A man named York was an important member of the
Lewis and Clark team. York was Clark's black slave.
The Indians were awed by York; most had never seen
a black man before. Indian warriors often painted
their bodies with charcoal as a mark of success in
battle. So when they saw strong, charcoal-skinned
York they thought him the mightiest of men. York
was freed when the expedition returned home. He
headed back west and is said to have become chief of
an Indian tribe.
The new land
stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and maybe
beyond. No one was sure how far it went. So someone had to find out
what had been bought. How big was the territory, what was it like, and
where did it end? The West was as unknown to white men in 1803 as
most of outer space is today. Jefferson sent an expedition to investigate.
To head the expedition he commissioned his shy personal secretary
Meriwether Lewis, a dreamer and lover of science, along with a goodnatured, talkative soldier and mapmaker, William Clark. They were to
explore the vast reaches of the American West. Jefferson wrote: "The
object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River and the water
offering the best communication with the Pacific Ocean.... Your
observations are to be taken with great pains and accuracy."
1. What year was the Louisiana Purchase made?
2. Where was the Louisiana Territory located? (Use the map).
3. What did Thomas Jefferson want the Louisiana Purchase Expedition to accomplish?
4. What did Thomas Jefferson mean by, “"In seizing [Louisiana I] ... have done an act beyond the Constitution…but
it is incumbent on those ... who accept great charges, to risk themselves on great occasions."
Vocabulary (define the vocab terms)
1. Incumbent
8th Grade Social Studies
Mr. Quaintance
Westward Expansion
Student Packet
Page 7
Louisiana Purchase: Thomas Jefferson 1803
Directions: Before watching the short video about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, read the questions below
so that you know what to look out for. Then answer the questions.
1. In 1790, Thomas Jefferson opposed the creation of the National Bank because…
a.
It was not expressly authorized by the Constitution
b.
It failed to benefit his home state of Virginia
c.
Treasury Secretary Hamilton refused to put Washington’s face on the $1 bill
d.
It symbolized small government
Note Taking Space
2. When Thomas Jefferson was elected president in 1800, he pledged to …
a.
Purchase the Louisiana Territory
b.
Enlarge the size of the National Bank
c.
Reduce the size and scope of the federal government
d.
Fight Napoleon for the Louisiana Territory.
3. The Louisiana Territory was initially transferred by _________________ to ___________________.
a.
France – Spain
b.
Spain – France
c.
France – Italy
d.
Italy – Spain
4. Thomas Jefferson ultimately justified the Louisiana Purchase as being implied in the Constitution’s…
a.
Judicial power
b.
General welfare clause
c.
Commerce clause
d.
Treaty-making power.
5. The approximate price per acre for the Louisiana Territory was ______________.
a.
1 cent
b.
3 cents
c.
5 cents
6.
d. 7 cents.
Why did the idea of France on its doorstep bother the United States more than Spain on its doorstep?
7.
How did Jefferson’s view on the exercise of federal power change between his time as Secretary of State and President?
Name: __________________________________
Date:_____________