Louisiana Purchase and Westward Expansion (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the notes on the Louisiana Purchase, foreign policy, and the Lewis & Clark era.

Louisiana Purchase

The 1803 U.S. purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, expanding U.S. territory and prompted by Napoleon's need for funds; justified by treaty power, though controversy over constitutionality.

Mississippi River

A major waterway used to move goods to eastern markets; control of it was a strategic benefit of the Louisiana Purchase.

New Orleans

An important port for American goods sent to European markets; access feared to be shut down by foreign powers.

Jefferson

U.S. President who worried about access to New Orleans and authorized diplomats to negotiate the Louisiana purchase.

Robert Livingston

U.S. ambassador to France who helped negotiate the Louisiana purchase.

James Monroe

U.S. diplomat who assisted in Louisiana negotiations alongside Livingston.

Spain

Controlled New Orleans and Louisiana (Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains); relaxed restrictions on American trade before secretly ceding Louisiana to France.

Louisiana Territory

Region from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains; controlled by Spain, then France, and finally purchased by the U.S.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French emperor who planned European and American empires; saw Santo Domingo as a naval base; sold Louisiana to the U.S. to fund wars.

Santo Domingo

Caribbean island considered an important naval base in Napoleon’s plans.

Haitian Revolution

1791–1804 slave revolt in Saint-Domingue that influenced European decisions and contributed to the sale of Louisiana.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution who organized enslaved people into a disciplined army and defeated opposing forces.

Northwest Passage

A sought-after water route through North America; Lewis and Clark aimed to find or map a path.

Meriwether Lewis

President Jefferson’s secretary who led the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

William Clark

Co-leader of the Lewis & Clark Expedition; brought along his slave York.

York

Clark’s enslaved companion on the expedition who sought his freedom.

Sacagawea

Daughter of a Shoshone chief; interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark; helped with horses and supplies and eased fears of Native groups.

Pike’s Expedition

Lt. Zebulon Pike’s 1805–1807 explorations of the Arkansas and Red River headwaters and Spanish settlements; mapped parts of the Rio Grande and northern Mexico.

Pike’s Peak

The snowcapped mountain discovered by Pike; now known as Pike’s Peak.

Arkansas River

One of the headwaters explored by Pike during his expedition.

Red River

Headwaters explored by Pike; part of his route into New Mexico.

Rio Grande

River mapped by Pike during his exploration of northern Mexico and present-day Texas.

Great Plains

Wide flat area explored by Pike that contributed to knowledge of the region.

Rocky Mountains

Mountain range explored by Pike; expanded American knowledge of the West.

Purchase price $15 million

Amount paid by the U.S. to acquire the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.

Initial offer $2 million

Original offer by the United States to purchase Louisiana, discussed by Jefferson and Congress.

Treaty power

Constitutional justification used to affirm that the U.S. gov’t could purchase Louisiana via treaty.

Advantages of the Louisiana Purchase

Benefits included cheap land for farmers, control of the Mississippi River, and protection of domestic shipping.