louisiana purchase
You may have to search and research, but once you learn some good sources and methods, you should have success. In addition to searching on the Internet, you also need to make best friends with the reference librarian(s) in your local or college library. Libraries these days subscribe to enormous research databases, and they are often more useful than Internet searches. Ask your librarian if you have access to EBSCOHost -- it has several databases within it, including a huge one for academic research.
For Internet searching:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/
At this webpage, you can go immediately to the search sites (first three columns across the top) -- or even better you can scroll down until you see the section called HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET. Those are the links to start with. You'll not only learn how to come up with good search terms, but also how to evaluate the webpages you get as results. Some will be good and others will be garbage. You need to know how to tell the difference.
My favorite way to search is to go to Google's advanced search page http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en and put my search words or phrases into the first or second search box (either "all the words" or "exact phrase").
http://www.google.com/search?q=louisiana+purchase&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIE_en
Another is to start out at http://scholar.google.com. However, there many other strategies for searching you can use, and the HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET section will help you best.
Learning to use Google or other search engines can save you time and help you learn to find information efficiently. Here are some websites that can teach you how:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/searchtips.html
http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html
http://websearch.about.com/mbody.htm?once=true&COB=home&PM=112_100_T
... and one to help you judge whether a particular website's information is worth your time:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/evaluate.html
Happy searching.
The Louisiana Purchase refers to the acquisition of approximately 828,000 square miles of territory in North America by the United States from France in 1803. Here are the steps involved in the Louisiana Purchase:
1. Background: In the late 18th century, the territory known as Louisiana was under Spanish control. In 1800, by the Treaty of San Ildefonso, Spain returned the territory to France.
2. Negotiations with France: In 1802, the US government, under President Thomas Jefferson, became concerned about France's intentions for the territory. Jefferson sent diplomats to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans and some additional land to secure access to the Mississippi River.
3. French Offer: To the surprise of the American diplomats, France offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory, consisting of what is now 15 different U.S. states, along with portions of present-day Canada.
4. Negotiating the Deal: From April 1803, negotiations between the American diplomats and French representatives led to the signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty on April 30, 1803. The treaty specified the terms of the sale, which included an agreement to pay France $15 million (about $236 million in today's dollars) for the land.
5. Controversy and Ratification: The purchase faced some opposition from Federalist politicians who were concerned about the expansion of American territory and the potential expansion of slavery. However, the Senate ratified the treaty on October 20, 1803, and the purchase was complete.
6. Impact: The Louisiana Purchase effectively doubled the size of the United States at the time and is considered one of the most significant land deals in history. It provided the US with control of the Mississippi River and access to the valuable port of New Orleans, which greatly facilitated western expansion and trade.
7. Lewis and Clark Expedition: Following the purchase, President Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804 to explore and map the newly acquired territory.
Overall, the Louisiana Purchase had a transformative impact on the United States, expanding its territory, facilitating westward expansion, and influencing the development of the nation.
The Louisiana Purchase refers to the acquisition of a large territory in North America by the United States from France in 1803. It doubled the size of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the country's expansion westward.
To understand the Louisiana Purchase in more detail, there are a few steps you can take:
1. Start with basic research: Begin by searching for general information on the Louisiana Purchase. You can use search engines like Google or Bing to find reliable sources such as reputable history websites, books, or encyclopedias. Look for articles or resources that provide an overview of the event and its significance.
2. Dive deeper into historical context: To grasp the historical background behind the Louisiana Purchase, you can explore the reasons why France decided to sell the territory to the United States. Look for details about the political situations in both countries at the time, as well as the circumstances that led Napoleon Bonaparte, the French leader, to offer the Louisiana Territory for sale.
3. Investigate negotiation and purchase: Learn about the negotiation process and the key figures involved in the Louisiana Purchase. Research the diplomats and politicians who represented the United States and dealt with France during the negotiations. Understanding the negotiations will provide insight into the terms of the purchase, the price paid, and any controversies or challenges that occurred during the process.
4. Analyze the impact: Explore the effects and significance of the Louisiana Purchase. Look for information on how the acquisition affected the United States' territorial expansion, relations with Native American tribes, and the balance of power on the continent. You can also investigate the role the acquisition played in shaping the country's development, including the exploration of the western frontier and the eventual spread of American settlers.
By following these steps, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the Louisiana Purchase and its importance in American history.