Two key events that ocurred Druing the administration of Thomas Jefersson

Discuss two events during Jefferson 's administration

Thomas Jefferson , the United States third president , was one of the key figures in the country 's history not simply because he was the nation 's leader at one point . Jefferson brought about many changes and achieved great milestones during his lifetime . While he was more widely known for drafting the Declaration of Independence before he became president Jefferson 's administration was known for many things . Two of which were the

acquisition of Louisiana in 1803 and

Lewis and Clark expedition

Lewis Clark

Expedition

This project was the fulfillment of Jefferson 's life-long dream of knowing the entire continent . For many years , the American people lived on the Atlantic side of the nation . Jefferson wanted to know the other half -- of the people who lived there and their customs and traditions He petitioned Congress to provide funding for expedition to the Western side of the U .S . After obtaining approval , Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis , a captain in the U .S . Army , to lead the trek across North America . Before he left , Lewis was taught several scientific skills that would aid him and his team in completing their journey . He learned mathematics , anatomy , medicine , fossils , botany , and more importantly he learned map making and surveying . The last two skills are very necessary in charting a vast and dangerous uncharted land . He was directed by Jefferson to explore and find a connection to the Pacific Ocean through the Missouri River . He was also tasked to note the different races and communities he would come across , and to know their numbers , possessions , language , traditions , diseases , way of life and commerce , among others

Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Territory was a contested area between Spanish conquerors and the French army . By a treaty , France ceded the region to Spain However , secret negotiations ultimately placed control of the region in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte . But Bonaparte lost Hispaniola due to a local uprising . Without Hispaniola , the food and trade center of Bonaparte 's expansion to the New World , the French emperor found no use for Louisiana . As a result , France decided to sell the large tract of land to the United States to obtain money to fund its military campaign in Europe . Delighted with the offer , Jefferson immediately negotiated for the deal . Despite qualms regarding the constitutional rights of a federal government , Jefferson was supported by Congress in his decision to acquire Louisiana from the French for 15 million . The territory was formally transferred to the United States in a ceremony on November 30 1803 How did these events impact the country as a nation

The Lewis-Clark expedition paved the way for the Eastern and Western sides of the continent to meet and unite . It was no easy task and the way was full of danger , both from the elements and hostile Indian nations . The expedition members successfully introduced to the West the existence of the other side . At the same time , the team was able to...