Early American Exploration To understand the why early
![“[I] cheerfully join in in an ‘official character’ as mentioned in your letter and](https://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/2e86a663a3373f6b205ebc3b5048d229/image-14.jpg "“[I] cheerfully join in in an ‘official character’ as mentioned in your letter and")
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Early American Exploration
To understand the why early explorers headed west, lets examine the circumstances of the times.
Administration of Thomas Jefferson
A Republican takes over • As a Republican, Jefferson made changes 1. abolished internal taxes 2. reduced govt. spending 3. cut national debt in ½ 4. scaled down the army • Appointed as many Republicans as possible!
Judicial Branch • Before Adams left office he secured the Judicial branch in the hands of the Federalists • Judiciary Act of 1801 -Reduced Supreme Court from 6 to 5 Justices -Created more federal courts -Midnight appointments: last minute appointments to new courts (all Federalists)
John Marshall • Father of the Supreme Court • Midnight appointment • Chief Justice • Revolutionized the Supreme Court - established it as a legitimate branch of government = to others • How?
Marbury v. Madison 1803 William Marbury appointed as Justice of the Peace in the midnight appointments James Madison new secretary of state: refuses to deliver the appointment
Court’s Decision • Declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 (act of Congress) unconstitutional - Constitution does not give leg. power to make executive officers perform these services • Marshall and the SC had defined their power of Judicial Review: the power of the SC to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional • Marshall is responsible for making the Judicial Branch equal to the other two branches
Louisiana Purchase Jefferson wanted the Land for his Republican dream of a Nation filled with Farmers!
The Facts • Jefferson buys land from Napoleon - port of New Orleans was closed to us and we wanted access • $15 million • Mississippi River to Rocky Mountains • Doubles the size of the Country
Is This Constitutional? • Jefferson believes in Strict Construction of Constitution - does not give the authority to buy land • The Constitution gives the Pres. the right to make treaties - this can be the excuse to buy the land
Lewis and Clark Expedition 1804 -1806
“If therefore there is anything under those circumstances, in this enterprise, which would induce you to participate with me in it’s fatigues, it’s dangers and it’s honors, believe me there is no man on earth with whom I should feel equal pleasure in sharing them as with yourself. ” Lewis to Clark, June 16, 1803
“[I] cheerfully join in in an ‘official character’ as mentioned in your letter and partake of all the Dangers Difficulties & fatigues, and I anticipate the honors & rewards of the result of such an enterprise should we be successful in accomplishing it. ” Clark to Lewis, July 17, 1803
The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Who went with Lewis and Clark?
Sacagawea and Jean Baptiste (Pomp)
• • Guide Translator Indicator of peace Encounter her tribe, her brother is now chief: gives needed horses and supplies
York • Clark’s slave • Viewed as a novelty by the Natives - color - strength
They made treaties with the Indians and traded with them for supplies.
19 th Century Trade Items Glass beads (especially blue and white, red vermillion paint, awls, needles, fishhooks, cloth, guns, hatchets, metal knives, etc.
They kept detailed journals on new plants and animals
They saw land experienced things that no other European had.
Significance • Doubled US & US claims to Pacific NW • Fur Trade • Scientific Achievements – Plants – Animals • Indian relations (civilization and/or removal) • Geography – Mapps (with the help of) – Zebulon Pike, Stephen Long
Who is Zebulon Pike? • an American brigadier general and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. • led the Pike Expedition to explore and document the southern portion of the Louisiana territory
Zebulon Pike was charged with finding the sources of the Arkansas and Red Rivers, and brought back valuable descriptions of the Great Plains and the Río Grande River Valley.
What about John C. Freemont? Another important Explorer! Who?
John C. Freemont • Led multiple surveying expeditions through the western territory of the United States and beyond. In 1838 and 1839 he assisted Joseph Nicollet in exploring the lands between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers
John C. Freemont • Congress published Frémont's "Report and Map" it guided thousands of overland immigrants to Oregon and California from 1845 to 1849
John C. Freemont • In 1849 Joseph Ware published his Emigrants' Guide to California, which was largely drawn from Frémont's report, and was to guide the forty-niners through the California Gold Rush.
QUESTIONS?