WESTWARD EXPANSION

As previously mentioned, Thomas Jefferson had a very different view of America than had been held by Alexander Hamilton and many other Federalists. While Hamilton had envisioned America as evolving into a mighty industrial power, Jefferson’s view of an ideal America was one made up largely of yeoman farmers, who would possess a spirit of fierce independence and pride. To accomplish this end, Jefferson encouraged further expansion westward (into the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River). Over I million settlers lived there in 1800; in 1804 it became even easier to purchase land in this territory, when it became possible to buy 160 acres of land for an initial down payment of $80. New settlers streamed into the area, sometimes settling on land legally owned by Native American tribes.

Jefferson publicly stated that the best approach to Native Americans would be to show them the benefits of farming. He felt that if Native Americans could be turned into farmers that they would not need all of their forest land and they might incorporate themselves as citizens of the U.S. However, Jefferson’s desire for western settlement far outweighed his desire for fair treatment for Native Americans. The pattern that began under Jefferson and continued for decades was one where Native Americans were forced to sign treaties in which they gave up more and more of their lands with virtually nothing given in return.

The Louisiana Purchase

In secret treaties between France and Spain signed in 1800 and 1801 France regained the Louisiana territory. Americans did not hear of this until 1802 and were worried that Napoleon’s France might attempt to reassert their power in the Americas. Napoleon also expressed his desire to place Haiti back under French control. Concerns increased when in the last two months of their control there the Spanish refused to allow American ships to store products in New Orleans (which had been common practice).

Jefferson feared war with France and sent Virginia governor James Monroe to France to see if France would sell part of the territory to the United States. Napoleon had been unable to recapture Haiti and needed money to finance his army for his European conquests, so he offered to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States for $15 million. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States; for Jefferson this was the perfect opportunity to expand the “empire of liberty.” Many Northeastern Federalists were opposed to the Louisiana Purchase, fearing it would decrease their economic and political power. Nevertheless, the purchase was overwhelmingly ratified by Congress in late 1803. Jefferson’s pragmatism was also displayed when he approved the Louisiana Purchase. The Constitution did not mention that the federal government had the right to acquire new territory; Jefferson had always interpreted the Constitution strictly, and normally stated that the federal government has no powers that were not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. However, in Jefferson’s eyes the acquisition of the Louisiana territory was absolutely essential for the continued growth of the United States.

Jefferson and many others in America wanted more accurate information about the geography, the peoples, and the economic possibilities of the rest of continent. In 1804 the Lewis and Clark Expedition began. This expedition of nearly 50 men took two years to complete; despite hardships they crossed the Rockies and eventually made it to the Pacific Ocean. The information they brought back about the possibilities of further expansion in the West intrigued many.