Download The Louisiana Purchase

Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
Lesson 3
Title: A place in the world
Grade Level: 8
Unit of Study: Expansion and Reform
GLCE:
U4.1.2 Establishing America’s Place in the World – Explain the changes in America’s
relationships with other nations by analyzing treaties with American Indian nations, Jay’s
Treaty (1795), French Revolution, Pinckney’s Treaty (1795), Louisiana Purchase, War of 1812,
Transcontinental Treaty (1819), and the Monroe Doctrine.
Abstract: New nations face many challenges as they grow and develop.
Key Concepts: How has America’s foreign policy and ratification of treaties shaped the
nation?
Sequence of Activities:
1. Discuss feelings of being “new” (kid at school, step-family, natural order in animal
kingdom, etc) to connect to the United States being the new country in the world.
2. Introduce the expansion of the United States by watching the short animated map film at
http://www.animatedatlas.com/movie.html
3. Introduce the idea that the United States was able to make treaties with foreign nations
and Native American nations.
4. Hand out descriptions of various treaties such as treaties with Jay’s Treaty (1795), French
Revolution, Pinckney’s Treaty (1795), Louisiana Purchase, War of 1812,
Transcontinental Treaty (1819), Northwest Ordinance (1787), and the Monroe Doctrine.
5. Students will make a time line and have a graphic map attached to their timeline which
outlines various regions that were affected by the Expansion and treaties of the United
States. In addition the students should also have a one to two sentence summary of each
treaty created with the United States.
Extension: Place the Presidents during this time period onto your timeline and provide a
sentence that describes their contributions to foreign policy.
Connections:
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Instructional Resources:
Equipment/Manipulative
Poster paper
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
Rulers
Markers
Student Resources
Blank Map of the U.S.
Blank Map of the World
Project Guidelines for Timeline Assignment
Descriptions of Jay’s Treaty, Louisiana Purchase, The War of 1812, The Monroe Doctrine, and
Northwest Ordinance
Teacher Resources
Animated film map at http://www.animatedatlas.com/movie.html
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
Project Guidelines for Timeline Assignment:
1. Create a timeline from the time period of 1790 through
1860 for the Expansion and Reform time period.
2. Include the following events in your timeline and have a
one to two sentence summary for each event:
 Louisiana Purchase
 Jay’s Treaty
 Monroe Doctrine
 Pinckney’s Treaty
 War of 1812
 Northwest Ordinance
 Transcontinental Treaty
3. Include a map of the World and a Map of the United States
and place icons on the areas affected by five of these
events.
4. Include a title for your timeline.
Extra Credit:
Place the Presidents during this time period onto your timeline
and provide a sentence that describes their contributions to
foreign policy.
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
Jay's Treaty
Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, between His Britannic Majesty and the
United States of America, by their President, Ratified June 24, 1795
.
Published by Neale and Kammerer, Philadelphia, 1795
Although the Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the American War for Independence, the years
following saw relations between America and England deteriorate precipitously.
England refused to evacuate the frontier forts in the Northwest Territory; in addition, she seized
American ships, forcing American sailors to serve in England's war against France. The United
States, for her part, passed navigation laws that were potentially damaging to Great Britain. It
was apparent that a commercial war between the two countries would undermine the health of
the American economy.
The American statesman John Jay, pressed into service as special envoy, went to England to
negotiate disagreements between the two governments. On November 19, 1794 Jay's Treaty was
signed, averting the threat of war.
The Treaty eliminated British control of western posts within two years, established America's
claim for damages from British ship seizures, and provided America a limited right to trade in
the West Indies.
Although Jay's Treaty provoked a storm of controversy (Jay was burned in effigy by mobs of
outraged Americans), President Washington pressed for ratification. The treaty passed the Senate
in June, 1795.
Among John Jay's many accomplishments — president of Congress in 1778, minister to Spain,
one of three Americans who negotiated the Paris Peace Treaty, an author of The Federalist and
the first chief justice of the Supreme Court — none was more important than his negotiation of
the Treaty with Great Britain in 1794.
Source: http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/jaytreaty/
The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson's plans for the nation depended upon western expansion and access to international
markets for American farm products. This vision was threatened, however, when France
regained control of Louisiana. Napoleon, who had now risen to power in the French Revolution,
threatened to block American access to the important port of New Orleans on the Mississippi
River. New American settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains depended upon river
transport to get their goods to market since overland trade to the east was expensive and
impractical.
Blocking American access to New Orleans was such a grave threat to American interests that
President Jefferson considered changing his traditional foreign policy stance to an anti-French
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
alliance with the British. At the same time that he sent diplomats to France to bargain for
continued trade access along the Mississippi, he also sent diplomats to Britain to pursue other
policy options. James Monroe, the top person negotiating in Paris, was empowered to purchase
New Orleans and West Florida for between two and ten million dollars.
Surprisingly, however, Napoleon offered much more. He was militarily overextended and
needing money to continue his war against Britain. Knowing full well that he could not force
Americans out of the land France possessed in North America, Napoleon offered all of Louisiana
to the U.S. for 15 million dollars. The massive territory stretched from the Mississippi River to
the Rocky Mountains and more than doubled the size of the United States.
Napoleon's asking price worked out to be about four cents an acre.
The deal was struck in April 1803, but it brought a good deal of controversy. While American
development in the 19th century depended on western expansion, it also raised controversial
issues that might lead to the disunion of the United States. Some New England Federalists, for
example, began to talk of seceding from the U.S. since their political power was dramatically
reduced by the purchase.
Further, Jefferson had clearly not followed his own strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Federalist critics howled that the Constitution nowhere permitted the federal government to
purchase new land. Jefferson was troubled by the inconsistency, but in the end decided that the
Constitution's treaty-making provisions allowed him room to act.
Most of the Senate agreed and the Louisiana Purchase easily passed 26 to 6. The dramatic
expansion also contradicted Jefferson's commitment to reduce the national debt as swiftly as
possible. Although 15 million dollars was a relatively small sum for such a large amount of land,
it was still an enormous price tag for the modest federal budget of the day.
The Louisiana Purchase demonstrates Jefferson's ability to make pragmatic political decisions.
Although contrary to some of his central principles, guaranteeing western expansion was so
important to Jefferson's overall vision that he took bold action. The gains were dramatic, as the
territory acquired would in time add 13 new states to the union. In 1812, Louisiana became the
first state to join the union from land bought in the purchase. Louisiana was allowed to enter the
United States with its French legal traditions largely in place. Even today, Louisiana's legal code
retains many elements that do not follow English common law traditions. The federal system
could be remarkably flexible.
Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/20c.asp
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the fairly new nation called the United States of
America, and on the other side the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and its North
American colonies in Canada.
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
The war began in 1812 and ended in 1815. Over 1,600 British and 2,260 American soldiers,
marines, and sailors perished in this war on both land and on the ocean. While at war with the
United States, Britain was also fighting against France and her allies in Europe.
Due to their war with France, the British sought to restrict American trade with France, and
imposed a set of restrictions which the U.S. considered illegal under international law. The
U.S. declared war on Britain on July 18, 1812 after years of enduring British restrictions and
attacks on American shipping, the forcible impressments of thousands of American sailors into
service with the British navy, increasing anger at British restraints on American trade with
France and other European nations, and frustration at continuing British military support for
Native Americans fighting against the expanding United States.
Also fueling the desire for war with Britain was a feeling that Britain never truly gave up
thinking of America as a "lost" colony that should be punished. Many pro-war American saw a
new war with Britain as a reaffirmation of American independence; in fact, the war became
known as the Second War of Independence.
Source: http://www.historyguy.com/war_of_1812_links.html
The Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was an American policy put forth by the 5th President of the United States
of America, James Monroe. It was a clear cut statement issued by the United States which stated
that the United States would neither interfere in the conflicts between European nations, nor
allow these nations to meddle in the affairs of the 'New World' i.e. the hemisphere that included
the continents of North America and South America. Monroe Doctrine sent across the message
that any attempt by the European nations to colonize the New World would amount to
aggression, which would be met by U.S. intervention. It was one of those U.S. policies which
had profound effects on various American foreign policies to follow. At the same time, Monroe
Doctrine was also responsible for establishing a cordial relationship between the United States
and Great Britain, which was one of the major European powers back then.
The Monroe Doctrine was introduced by James Monroe in a speech before the United States
Congress on 2nd December, 1823. It was put forth unilaterally by the United States in response
to Great Britain's proposal of mutually coming up with a policy which would separate the New
World from the Old World. (The term 'Old World' refers to those regions of the world that were
known to Europeans before the Americas were discovered.) For Great Britain, allowing Spain to
regain control of its former colonies was not a viable option as it would have hampered their
profitable trade with this region. For the United States, it was the question of national security
with the newly formed 'Holy Alliance' comprising of Austria, Prussia and Russia trying to gain
an upper hand in this region.
The main objective of Monroe Doctrine was to make sure that the European nations don't
colonize the newly independent colonies of Latin America. It was introduced at a point of time
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
when quite a few Latin American colonies under the Spanish Empire had become independent
and several were about to become independent. When the United States realized that European
colonization of these Spanish colonies in Latin America would be a threat for its national
security, President Monroe introduced this policy and made sure that the national security of the
country was not threatened. While the Foreign Minister of Great Britain, George Canning, did
put forth the proposal of going ahead together, the United States administration under the
leadership of Monroe was wary of this, especially after of the war of 1812.
Monroe Doctrine didn't just put a check of European colonization of the Americas, but also
asserted that the European nations should stop interfering in the matters of the western
hemisphere. It also made it a point to state that the United States would not meddle with the
existing European colonies in the Americas, nor would it interfere in the internal matters of the
European nations. The policy established two separate spheres of influence for the United States
and Europe. However, it did provide a platform for the development of cordial ties between the
United States and Great Britain, and thus is considered by many to be a precursor to 'Special
Relationship' between these two nations. Even though the Latin American nations knew that the
Monroe Doctrine was nothing more than a tool of national policy, they did welcome it as they
were aware of the fact that it was not possible for the United States alone to wield power in this
region without the backing of Great Britain.
The fact that Monroe Doctrine continued for the next two centuries, with a few minor changes
here and there, hints at its impact in the geopolitical scenario back then. It did come under fire
though, with critics terming it 'American hegemony', but that didn't really matter for the United
States or Latin America - who benefited from it. Without Monroe Doctrine, Latin America
would have been nothing but a region plagued by internal conflicts. It was Monroe Doctrine that
provided Latin America with the much needed protection from European interests - with the
United States acting as a protector for this region.
Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/monroe-doctrine-summary.html
Pinckney's Treaty (1795)
During the Revolutionary War, Spain reconquered Florida from Great Britain. Contrary to the
border agreed to by the British and Americans (31° north latitude), Spain claimed that Florida
extended into the Ohio valley. By this border claim, Spain sought to keep the expansive United
States away from the Mississippi River and Spain's other major colony in the area, Louisiana.
With Louisiana occupying the west bank of the Mississippi and Florida controlling the east bank
from at least 31° southward, Spain in 1784 closed the mouth of the river to U.S. navigation. This
made the river useless as a means of getting goods from U.S. territory west of the Appalachian
Mountains to markets in the East. To further discourage settlement beyond the Appalachians, the
Spanish also supported the hostile southwestern Indian tribes.
By 1794, however, the Spanish feared that the Americans might use the opportunity of the
ongoing European war to attack Spanish territory. Consequently, they negotiated a treaty with
the U.S. minister Thomas Pinckney (1750–1828) that guaranteed Americans free navigation of
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
the entire Mississippi and a three‐year renewable right to unload riverboat goods at New
Orleans for reshipment on oceangoing vessels. The treaty (signed in Madrid on 27 October 1795)
also set the Florida boundary at 31° and promised noninterference with the Indians along the
border between Spanish territory and the United States.
President George Washington and the Senate welcomed Pinckney's Treaty, and it was ratified in
1796. But it only temporarily settled Spanish‐U.S. border disputes because expansionists in the
United States were determined to acquire Florida and New Orleans and gain sole control of the
navigation of the Mississippi. Within twenty‐five years, both goals were accomplished.
Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Pinckneys_Treaty.aspx
Transcontinental Treaty
Also called the Transcontinental Treaty of 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was one of the critical
events that defined the U.S.-Mexico border. The border between the then-Spanish lands and
American territory was a source of heated international debate. In Europe, Spain was in the midst
of serious internal problems and its colonies out west were on the brink of revolution.
Facing the grim fact that he must negotiate with the United States or possibly lose Florida
without any compensation, Spanish foreign minister Onis signed a treaty with Secretary of State
John Quincy Adams. Similar to the Louisiana Purchase statutes, the United States agreed to pay
its citizens’ claims against Spain up to $5 Million. The treaty drew a definite border between
Spanish land and the Louisiana Territory.
In the provisions, the United States ceded to Spain its claims to Texas west of the Sabine River.
Spain retained possession not only of Texas, but also California and the vast region of New
Mexico. At the time, these two territories included all of present-day California and New Mexico
along with modern Nevada, Utah, Arizona and sections of Wyoming and Colorado.
The treaty -- which was not ratified by the United States and the new republic of Mexico until
1831 -- also mandated that Spain relinquish its claims to the country of Oregon north of the 42
degrees parallel (the northern border of California). Later, in 1824, Russia would also abandon
its claim to Oregon south of 54’40,’ (the southern border of Alaska.)
Source: http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/2.html
The Northwest Ordinance
Considered to be one of the most significant achievements of the Congress of the Confederation,
the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 put the world on notice not only that the land north of the
Ohio River and east of the Mississippi would be settled but that it would eventually become part
of the United States. Until then this area had been temporarily forbidden to development.
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project
Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
Increasing numbers of settlers and land speculators were attracted to what are now the states of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. This pressure together with the demand from
the Ohio Land Company, soon to obtain vast holdings in the Northwest, prompted the Congress
to pass this Ordinance
The area opened up by the Ordinance was based on lines originally laid out in 1784 by Thomas
Jefferson in his Report of Government for Western Lands. The Ordinance provided for the
creation of not less than three nor more than five states. In addition, it contained provisions for
the advancement of education, the maintenance of civil liberties and the exclusion of slavery.
Above all, the Northwest Ordinance accelerated the westward expansion of the United States.
Source:
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/
milestones/ordinance/
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