A)why was France willing to sell Louisiana, and why did the united states purchase it?
B)What was the purpose of Pike's expedition, and where did he travel?
http://www.monticello.org/jefferson/lewisandclark/louisiana.html
A) To understand why France was willing to sell Louisiana and why the United States decided to purchase it, we need to look at the historical context.
France, under Napoleon Bonaparte, initially acquired the Louisiana Territory from Spain through the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1800. However, the French soon faced some challenges. They were engaged in costly wars in Europe and were struggling to maintain control over their colonies in the Caribbean, particularly Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). Additionally, the prospect of a potential war with Great Britain made it difficult for France to defend and govern such a vast territory across the Atlantic.
In 1803, after the failure of the Saint-Domingue expedition and recognizing the logistical challenges of maintaining Louisiana, Napoleon decided to sell the territory to the United States. The reasons behind this decision can be attributed to several factors:
1. Financial Troubles: The French government needed money to fund its military campaigns in Europe, and selling Louisiana provided a solution to their financial difficulties.
2. Political Stabilization: By selling Louisiana to the United States, France hoped to avoid conflicts with other European powers, such as Great Britain, who might have contested French control over the territory.
On the other hand, the United States saw the purchase of Louisiana as an opportunity for various reasons:
1. Expansion of Territory: Acquiring the vast Louisiana Territory instantly doubled the size of the United States, opening up vast opportunities for westward expansion and settlement.
2. Strategic Importance: By gaining control over the Mississippi River and the important port city of New Orleans, the United States ensured its ability to navigate and trade along the crucial waterway.
3. National Security: Concerned about potential European powers establishing a presence in North America (particularly along the Mississippi River), the United States aimed to secure its borders and prevent foreign interference.
B) Pike's expedition was initiated with the purpose of conducting explorations, gathering geographic knowledge, and establishing American presence in the western parts of North America. It was part of a broader effort known as the "Western Exploration" or "Western Discovery."
Led by Zebulon Pike, the expedition set out in 1806 from St. Louis, Missouri. Here's where Pike traveled during his expedition:
1. Upper Mississippi River: Pike and his team sailed up the river, establishing contact with various Native American tribes along the way.
2. Present-Day Minnesota: Pike explored the headwaters of the Mississippi River and attempted to locate the source of the river, but he mistakenly entered the Minnesota River, thinking it was the Mississippi.
3. Central Plains: Pike then journeyed through what is now Iowa and parts of present-day Nebraska and Kansas, encountering Native American tribes such as the Osage, Pawnee, and Otoe.
4. Pike's Peak: The expedition is most famously associated with Pike's attempt to climb what is now known as Pike's Peak in Colorado. However, he failed to reach the summit due to the harsh winter conditions.
5. Spanish New Mexico: In a somewhat unintentional turn of events, Pike and his crew were captured by Spanish authorities while crossing into present-day New Mexico. They were accused of espionage but were eventually released and escorted back to the American-controlled territory.
Pike's expedition played a significant role in expanding American knowledge of the West, mapping territories, and establishing the United States' presence in the region.