Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark (OLLI)

The Louisiana Purchase was a major milestone in the expansion and westward development of the United States. It doubled the size of the U.S. and opened it up to the vast resources which contributed to its material growth. How did the French acquire this vast part of North America, and what were the circumstances that led them agree to the sale? What was President Jefferson’s role in this transaction and how did he overcome congressional objections to both? Who were Lewis and Clark and what was the purpose of their expedition through an uncharted, sometimes dangerous environment inhabited by indigenous peoples with customs and practices strange to the explorers? We will “explore” these issues and more.