American Exploration 1

Louisiana Purchase

The acquisition by the United States of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.

Objective of American Expeditions

To identify purposes, trace expeditions of historical figures, assess impacts on Oklahoma territory, and examine the Adams-Onis Treaty.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

An exploratory mission from 1804 to 1806 led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to navigate the northern portion of the Louisiana Purchase.

Sparks Expedition

An 1806 expedition led by Captain Richard Sparks to explore the southwestern portion of the Louisiana Purchase.

Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819

A treaty between the United States and Spain that ceded Florida to the U.S. and defined the boundary between the two countries.

Economic potential of Louisiana

The capacity for economic expansion and resource harvesting in the Louisiana Territory.

Reasons for American exploration

To examine land, conduct scientific research, and understand the resources available in the newly acquired territory.

Significance of exploration

Exploration defined territorial limits, clarified U.S. claims, and established relationships with American Indian tribes.

Population relocation

The potential movement of eastern American Indians to the western territories as part of U.S. expansion.

Spanish threat

The presence of Spanish cavalry that confronted the Sparks Expedition.