The Louisiana Purchase: A Turning Point In American History

The total value of the purchase was $15 million, at an astounding rate of under three cents per acre. The people who lived in Louisiana were all given U.S. citizenship and the United States agreed to honor all agreements between the Spanish and the Native Americans that had been made while Spain had controlled the land. The treaty was unclear about an important detail, however. The borders of the territory were not defined; the treaty simply stated that the extent of the territory would not change (Corrick 60-62; History.com Staff). The terms of the Louisiana Purchase turned out to be much better for the United States than anyone had dared imagine and it would eventually come to be recognized as a turning point in American history. The Louisiana Purchase guaranteed America's control over the
On the expedition's return, Jefferson asked Lewis to compile their new data into a map. When Lewis died in 1809 with very little of the map finished, the responsibility to finish it fell on Clark's shoulders. Clark completed the map, which was used by a great many trappers, traders, and explorers, who, upon their return, gave Clark new information to add to the map, keeping it up to date. In 1814 a journal containing the map was published under the title History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark. Several other expeditions led by different explorers were later sent West, making significant contributions to Clark's map and knowledge of the West. This up to date map made it easier for American settlers to settle in the new western land to trade with the Native Americans, farm, or other ventures ("Opens"). The discoveries of Lewis and Clark gave Americans the confidence and know-how to start moving into the western