Chapter 8:
The Jefferson Era
The Louisiana Purchase Agreement
During the American ambassador's negotiations with Charles Talleyrand to purchase New Orleans, Talleyrand offered Louisiana. France was at war with Great Britain at the time which made their leader, Napoléon Bonaparte, feel an urgent need of money for supplies for their army. America accepted the offer and purchased Louisiana for $15 million. On October 20, 1803, the Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase agreement, roughly doubling the size of the United States.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
In 1803, Jefferson asked Congress to pay for an expedition to discover the West. To lead the expedition, Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis. Lewis chose his friend William Clark to be come along and be the co-captain of the journey. Lewis studied plants for weeks with a specialist.
Chapter 9:
A New National Identity
The Adams-Onís Treaty
In 1818, the United States was in a conflict with Spain over the border of Florida. Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams discussed Americans being allowed to settle in Florida with the Spanish diplomat. In April, troops invaded Florida, when Jackson took over important military posts and overthrew the governor. Jackson persuaded the Spanish to agree to their request. In 1819, the United States signed a the Adams-Onís Treaty with Spain, giving East Florida to the U.S. United States turned Texas over to Spain.
The Missouri Compromise
Henry Clay talked Congress into agreeing to the Missouri Compromise, smoothing out the conflict beginning when Missouri applied to become a state. When the compromise was passed, Missouri entered the Union as a state, Maine joined the Union as a free state, and Slavery was not allowed in any new states set north of Missouri's southern border.
