Doubling the National DomainCh. 7 pg. 200

Jefferson and Napoleon

0 After failing to seize India Napoleon wanted power in New World. 0 Spain held areas west of Mississippi, 0 1800 Treaty of San Ildefonso granted French this Louisiana. 0 Also held sugar-rich West Indian islands Guadeloupe, Martinique, Santo Domingo (where

slave revolt led by Toussaint L’ouverture put down)

0 Jefferson unaware of Napoleon’s imperial agenda, 0 pursued pro-French foreign policy- 0 apptd pro-French Robert Livingston minister,

0 secured Franco-American settlement of 1800, disapproved of black Santo Domingo uprising

0 Reconsidered position when heard of secret transfer of Louisiana and seizure of New Orleans, 0 alarmed in 1802 when Spanish intendant at New Orleans forbade transfer of American cargo to

ocean going vessels (which was guaranteed in Pinckney Treaty of 1795)- this closed lower Miss. to US shippers

0 Westerners demanded govt reopen river, 0 Jefferson ordered Livingston negotiate purchase of New Orleans,

0 in meantime expanded military and river fleet to give impression of New Orleans attack

0 Nap offered sale of whole Louisiana Territory. Plans for American empire awry b/c army decimated by yellow fever, reinforcements frozen

The Louisiana Purchase

0 Livingston and James Monroe in Paris decided to proceed with sale of whole territory even though not authorized to do so by govt, 0 treaty signed April 1803

0 US paid $15 million to France, had to incorporate N.O. residents into Union

0 Jefferson unsure US had authority to accept offer b/c power not specifically granted in Constitution, 0 ultimately agreed constituted as treaty power. 0 December 1803 territory handed over from Spain to France then US

0 Govt organized Louisiana territory like Northwest territory w/ various territories to eventually to become states- 0 Louisiana first, admitted 1812

Lewis and Clark Explore the West

0 Jefferson planned expedition across continent to Pacific Ocean in 1803 to gather geographical fats and investigate trade w/ Indians

0 Lewis and Clark set out 1804 from Mississippi R. in St Louis w/ Indian Sacajawea as guide, reached pacific fall 1805

0 Jefferson dispatched other explorers to other parts of Louisiana Territory, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike led two expeditions btwn Mississippi and Rocky Mts

The Burr Conspiracy0 Reelection of 1804 suggested nation approved of Jefferson’s acquisitions,

0 but some NE Federalists known as Essex Junto felt expansion weakened power of Federalists + region.

0 Felt only answer secession and “Northern Confederacy”0 Plan required support of NY, NJ, New England, but leading NY Federalist Alexander Hamilton

refused support 0 Turned to Vice President Aaron Burr (who had no prospect in own party after 1800 election

deadlock) to be Federalist candidate for NY governor in 18040 Hamilton accused Burr of treason and negative remarks about character,

0 when Burr lost election blamed defeat on Hamilton’s malevolence

0 Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel 1804, Hamilton mortally wounded

0 Burr, now political outcast, fled NY for West and along with General James Wilkinson, governor of Louisiana Territory, planned capture of Mexico from Spanish and possibly make his own empire. 0 1806 tried for treason, acquitted

0 “Conspiracy” showed perils of central govt that remained deliberately weak w/ vast tracts of nominally controlled land, state of US as stable and united nation