The Louisiana Purchase By Tony Carrell

Transcription

1 The Louisiana Purchase By Tony Carrell Lesson description: In this lesson, students will learn about the Louisiana Purchase and its importance in the history of the United States. Students will perform a debate on the constitutionality of Thomas Jefferson s decision to buy Louisiana from France. Further assessment will be done through DSTP type questions. Grade: 8 Time: 4 days with one day for debate Benchmarks/ Standards addressed: Civics 1 (Government) - governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations, levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war. Essential question: Should the President of the United States follow the Constitution and it s wording closely? Enduring understanding: In making laws and conducting foreign policy, sometimes the Constitution may be interpreted in a very loose manner. Materials: 1. Handout 1 - vocabulary list related to this lesson. 2. American history textbook used in class (section on Louisiana Purchase) 3. Handout 2 - copy of Presidential oath of office. 4. Handout 3 - debate preparation chart. Procedures: 1. As students enter the classroom, ask them to write down some of the reasons that Europeans, particularly the English, began colonizing North America. (Students responses should center on political, religious and economic reasons for colonization.) After discussion of these reasons, point out that one of the biggest attractions for Europeans to come to America was the large amount of land that was available. ( point out on map ) Explain how American Indians already lived on much of these lands and that some of these lands were already claimed. Tell students that in this lesson, they will learn about the Louisiana Purchase and how the United States doubled in size. 2. Review some important vocabulary as a pre-reading strategy.

2 3. Have students do reading in textbook on the Louisiana Purchase. Reading should center on why the French wanted Louisiana, the slave uprising in Haiti that changed Napoleon s plans in North America, Jefferson s concerns with the French controlling land in North America, negotiations between the French and the United States over Louisiana, and most importantly the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase. 4. Distribute a copy of Handout 2 - the presidential oath of office. Read aloud. 5. Ask students was Thomas Jefferson upholding or following the Constitution when it came to his decision to purchase Louisiana? Have students support their answers. Is there anyone that agrees with Jefferson s decision to buy Louisiana even though he may have ignored the Constitution? Have students support their answers. 6. Distribute copies of Handout 3 - chart for debate preparation on reasons to purchase Louisiana and reasons not to purchase Louisiana. Lead a class discussion on both arguments. 7. Review rubric for debate and assign roles. Roles are those in favor of the purchase and those against the purchase on Constitutional grounds. 8. Give students one class period to prepare arguments and finish arguments for homework. 9. Hold debate the next day. Debrief: 1. After this debate have students respond to the following writing prompt in two paragraphs. Students can finish for homework. Based on what you know, do you believe it is proper for the President to follow exactly what the Constitution states or do you think Presidents should be given more leeway in interpreting the Constitution? Support your answer with evidence from your study of the Constitution and some of the early presidents we have studied.

3 Assessment 1. Students to answer the following questions and be graded on the rubric for short answers. QUESTION A The following is a quote by Thomas Jefferson regarding the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase: The less we say about the constitutional difficulties the better. Why would Jefferson make this statement? Support your answer with historical evidence. QUESTION B The following is a quote by George W. Bush in relation to the war in Iraq. The less Congress tries to act as Commander-In-Chief, the better. I am the President and the Constitution states that the President is Commander-In- Chief. We cannot have Congress going against the Constitution of this great land, and ignoring the way the Constitution is supposed to work. What is President Bush referring to in the above quote? How would you compare Bush s quote in Question B to Jefferson s quote in Question A?

4 Handout 1 Vocabulary: Louisiana Purchase 1. Napoleon Bonaparte- the leader of France during the time of the Louisiana Purchase 2. Louisiana- in 1803, the area in America that stretched roughly from The Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. It also stretched from the Gulf of Mexico in the South to the Canadian border in the north. 3. St. Dominque- present day Haiti. In the 1790 s France controlled this country. 4. Toussaint Louverture- a former slave who led a slave uprising against Napoleon s troops in Haiti. 5. New Orleans- a major American city located in the state of Louisiana today and the most important city in all of Louisiana in New Orleans has always been an important city because of its location at the mouth of the Mississippi River. 6. Mississippi River- the longest river in America. In 1803, and even today a major shipping and trading area. 7. Thomas Jefferson- the President at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. 8. Strict construction- a way of interpreting the constitution. Someone who would be a strict constructionist would be someone who would follow the constitution and it s wording very closely. 9. Loose construction- another way of interpreting the constitution. Someone who would be a loose constructionist would not be too concerned about following the constitution word for word.

5 Handout 2 Presidential Oath of Office I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

6 Handout 3 Debate Preparation chart Reasons to support the Louisiana Purchase 1. The United States would double in size as a country. 2. France is ready to sell now, we cannot wait and argue over what the Constitution says. 3. We will become a stronger nation because we will have more resources and trade opportunities. 4. It is an opportunity to become friends with the Indian nations in the territory and learn about them. 5. We will control the Mississippi River, and the entire river all the way from the north to New Orleans. 6. We will learn more about the lands and resources of the area and this can only help our society. 7. Controlling this huge area of land will only expand the American ideas of freedom and liberty. Reasons to oppose the Louisiana Purchase 1. The Constitution does not give the President any authority to buy lands. 2. If we ignore the Constitution on this subject, what is next? 3. As we expand into this territory, conflict with Native people is inevitable 4. Trying to control the Mississippi River and New Orleans will only lead to conflict with other nations later on. Are we strong enough to defend our interests? 5. It is a large piece of land that is hard to control. 6. You speak of expanding freedom and liberty; yet, you are not paying attention to the Constitution!