The France leader Napoleon, had conquered most of Europe and wanted to expand to North America. To try and fulfill his dream of getting this land, he had a plan were he used the Haiti, a french colony, as a supply base. Then would be able to attack Lousiana by sending troops to attack Louisiana. His dream was then crushed when the African Americans revoulted and left the French rule. His dreams were crushed and his hopes of ever building a North American were crushed.
Jefferson buys Louisiana
France was at war with Great Britain and needed money for military supplies so when the American ambassador tried to buy New Orleans, the French ambassador also offered Louisiana. In return, he got $15 million dollars that he could use for military supplies and the larger United States would hopefully threatened the British power. Even though it was hard for Jefferson to make this decision, on October 20, 1802; Jefferson approved of the Louisiana Purchase.
Lewis and clark expedition
In 1803, the President asked Congress to fund the expedition of the new land they bought, the Louisiana Purchase. They decided they would have Meriwether Lewis lead this journey, who then asked William Clark his friend to help him. Lewis and Clark then prepared by studying what they might see so they would be able to take careful detail notes during their trip. Next, they put together a group of 50 skilled frontiesmen to be the Corps of Discovery with them. In May 1804, they finally began their long trip which they started by going upstream and at night would pull aside of the river.
This picture shows a drawing of Lewis (on the left) and Clark (on the right).
Contact With native americans
On the Lewis and Clark expedition, they had gone over 600 miles upstream without seeing Native Americans. When the men saw huge herds of buffalos their was hope. They knew that most of the Indians mostly depended on buffalos for food, clothing, and tools. When Lewis finally found the Indians he had an interpreter tell them that the land they lived was now owned by the United States. A Shoshone Indian from the Rocky Mountains named Sacagawea decided to join Lewis and Clark along with her husband. Sacagawea helped by naming plants and showing them the edible fruits and vegetables.