The Big Idea and Why it matters
- The Big Idea: The United States expanded its borders during Thomas Jefferson’s administration.
- Why it matters now: Part or all of 15 states now occupy the territory jefferson acquired in the Louisiana purchase
The Essential Question
- How do economic and political interests influence policies
Lewis and Clark
- Led the Corps of Discovery. Was charged by Jefferson to collect scientific information about unknown plants and animals en route to the pacific and to learn about the natives along the way.
- Explored from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean.
Aaron Burr
- Jefferson’s running mate who received the same number of votes in the electoral college that he did, the house of representatives had to pick. Jefferson became president and Burr became VP.
- Alexander Hamilton convinced the House of Representatives to select Jefferson as president.
- Burr killed Hamilton in a duel for costing him the Presidency
Louisiana Purchase
- The United States government spearheaded by Jefferson’s desire to expand westward purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon for 15 million.
- Included all land drained by the western tributaries of the Missisippi River doubling the US in size.
- Jefferson feared that a strong French presence in the mid continent would force the United States into an alliance with Britain. France was at war with Britain again
- Secretary of State James Monroe negotiated and closed a deal with Napoleon to purchase the territory for 15 million dollars. Did not tell Jefferson until after it was purchased. Jefferson later approves and Congress ratifies it.
Sacajawea
- interpreter and guide on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- A Shoshone woman, she traveled with Lewis and Clark from modern day North Dakota to the Pacific helping to establish cultural constacts with the Natives.
Jefferson Simplifies the Presidency
- Believed in decentralizing the federal government
- Decreased size of army and navy
- Cut federal spending costs
- Cut back Hamilton’s economic program by eliminating all internal taxes and reducing the influence of the Bank of the United States
- Declining influence of the Federalist party due to Jefferson’s simplicity of the federal government.
12th Amendment
- Passed to avoid future deadlocks such as what happened in the election of 1800, casting separate ballots for president and vice-president would make it clear who won the presidency and vice presidency.