The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial

1. The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial 1804-1806 2004-2006

2. Louisiana Purchase (1803) • Spain owned the Louisiana territory since the French were defeated by the English in the Seven Years’ War. (1762) • Soon after taking power in 1799, Napoleon had forced the Spanish to return the territory in hopes of creating a North American empire. • Continued to be governed by Spanish officials. • This alarmed the United States • French control of the Mississippi River would force the U.S. to ally with England, a prospect that Jefferson did not like. • Spanish officials closed New Orleans to American commerce in 1802.

3. Louisiana Purchase (1803) • Jefferson sent Robert Livingston to talk the French out of taking over Louisiana and to attempt to buy New Orleans for $10 million. • After a slave revolt in Santo Domingo (Haiti), Napoleon gave up his ideas for the North America and focused on his war with England—He asked the U.S. if they would like to buy Louisiana • The French offered to sell all of Louisiana for roughly $15 million.

4. The Treaty • The greatest single achievement of the Jefferson administration and arguably one of the greatest achievements of any administration. • Treaty of cession dated April 30, 1803, still needed to be ratified by Senate • Ratified by Senate in October, 1803. • U.S. paid France $15 million • More than doubled the territory of the United States. • Boundaries were vague. • Formal Transfer • French takes control from Spain on Nov. 20, 1803 • U.S. takes control from France on December 20, 1803

5. Louisiana Purchase (1803)

6. Reasons for Expedition • Jefferson felt that he needed to protect the economic and political interests of the United States along the Columbia and Missouri Rivers. • Three main diplomatic goals • Inform the scattered white settlements that they were now part of the United States. • Exact from the British, French, and Spanish fur traders respect for the territorial rights of the U.S. • Demonstrate to the Indian nations the power and goodwill of the United States • Other goals • Find all water route to the Pacific • Map the trans-Mississippi wilderness • Collect scientific information

7. “The Captains” • Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) (29 years old) • Jefferson’s private secretary (liaison to army) and fellow Virginian. • Given rank of Captain and put in total control of expedition. • Briefly governor of the Louisiana territory / Committed suicide in 1809 • William Clark (1770-1838) (33 years old) • Younger brother of George Rogers Clark • Lewis’ commanding officer at the Battle of Fallen Timbers • Governor of the Missouri Territory and Superintendent of Indian Affairs (Brigadier General of Militia for La.)

8. The Corps of Discovery • Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark in 1804 with an expedition of 50 men • Youngest was 18; oldest was 38 • Predominantly American but ethnically diverse. • Included Clark’s slave, York. • Most Indians had never seen a black man. • They were later joined by a French guide and his Shoshoni wife, Sacagawea. • Having a mother and son shielded the corps from being mistaken as a war party.

9. Importance of the Expedition • Over a period of 2 ½ years they traveled from St. Louis to Oregon and back. (about 8,000 miles) • Expedition cost $40,000. • Their reports of friendly Indians (only one episode of violence – Teton Sioux) and abundant pelts attracted traders and trappers to the region and also gave the United States a claim to the Oregon country by right of discovery and exploration.

12. LEWIS AND CLARK FESTIVALS in South Dakota (Yankton Sioux) • Elk PointAug. 21 & 22, 2004For more information call 605-356-3336or visit www.elkpoint.org • VermillionAug. 25, 2004Held at W.H. Over Museum and Spirit Mound. Call 605-624-5571or visit www.usd.edu/whover/Center • YanktonAug. 23-24, 2004Held at Lewis & Clark Visitors Center, Gavins Point Dam. For more information call 402-667-2546 www.lewisandclarktrail.com/yanktonlcfest.htm