Louisiana Purchase

Published By:

Andrew Troxel

Historical Era:

Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

Thinking Skill:

Historical Issues-Analysis & Decision-Making

Bloom’s Taxonomy:

Analyzing

Grade Level:

High School

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Teaching Instructions & Notes:
Students will click on the link below to examine seven primary sources related to the Louisiana Purchase. They should use the orange “enlarge” icon to read each source closely. Using the Weighing the Evidence seesaw tool, students will drag each source to indicate whether it represents a benefit or a drawback of the Louisiana Purchase. Moving a document closer to one side shows stronger evidence for that position, while placing it near the center reflects more balanced or uncertain evidence. Students may stack documents that share similar perspectives or levels of importance.

Teaching Tips:
- Before beginning, review background information on Jefferson’s presidency and westward expansion to provide context.
- Encourage students to discuss how each source reflects political, economic, or cultural consequences of the purchase.
- End with a debrief discussion or reflection question such as: Was the Louisiana Purchase ultimately a benefit or a burden for the United States?
Primary Source Citations (from DocsTeach Library):
- Jefferson’s Secret Message to Congress Regarding the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1/18/1803)
- President Jefferson’s Message to the Senate Asking for Advise and Consent to the Louisiana Purchase Treaty (10/17/1803)
- French Exchange Copy of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty (4/30/1803)
- A Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic Relative to the Payment for Louisiana (4/30/1803)
- Letter to James Madison Announcing the Surrender of Louisiana (12/20/1803)
- Proclamation to the People of New Orleans (12/20/1803)
- Map of the Louisiana Purchase Territory (1903)

To the extent possible under law, Andrew Troxel has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to “Louisiana Purchase”

Description

In this activity, students analyze seven primary sources related to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase to evaluate whether the acquisition was a benefit or a burden for the United States. Using the Weighing the Evidence tool, students interpret maps, treaties, letters, and government messages to assess political, economic, and social impacts. By placing documents along a visual seesaw, students make evidence-based judgments and form conclusions about how the Louisiana Purchase shaped the nation’s growth and identity.