What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase for the United States?

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Comanche Feats of Horsemanship, 1834
Pennsylvania artist George Catlin toured the Great Plains and captured Comanche equestrian warfare in training. “Every young man,” Catlin wrote, learned “to drop his body upon the side of his horse at the instant he is passing, effectually screened from his enemies’ weapons. … [H]e will hang whilst his horse is at fullest speed, carrying with him his bow and his shield, and also his long lance … which he will wield upon his enemy as he passes; rising and throwing his arrows over the horse’s back, or with equal ease and equal success under the horse’s neck.” Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC/Art Resource, NY.

JEFFERSON SET ASIDE his cautious exercise of federal power to take advantage of an unexpected offer from France to buy the Louisiana Territory. The president sent four expeditions into the prairie and mountains to explore this huge acquisition of land. The powerful Osage of the Arkansas River valley responded to overtures for an alliance and were soon lavishly welcomed by Jefferson in Washington City, but the even more powerful Comanche of the southern Great Plains stood their ground against all invaders. Meanwhile, the expedition by Lewis and Clark, the longest and northernmost trek of the four launched by Jefferson, mapped U.S. terrain all the way to the Pacific Ocean, giving a boost to expansionist aspirations.

CHRONOLOGY

1803

  • – Louisiana Purchase.

1804

  • – Jefferson meets with Osage Indians.

1804–1806

  • – Lewis and Clark expedition.

1807

  • – United States establishes trade with Comanche Indians.

CHAPTER LOCATOR

How did Jefferson attempt to undo the Federalist innovations of earlier administrations?

What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase for the United States?

Why did Congress declare war on Great Britain in 1812?

How did the civil status of American women and men differ in the early Republic?

Why did partisan conflict increase during the administrations of Monroe and Adams?

Conclusion: How did republican simplicity become complex?

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