Louisiana Purchase Essay

Learning Target: I can write a clear, 5-paragraph essay that explains the Louisiana Purchase, starting with a first paragraph that includes both your introduction and the historical context.

Do Now: In your own words, write a definition. What is a "civic issue?" What is not a "civic issue"? Give real-life examples of a "civic issue" and not a "civic issue."

Vocabulary:

A civic issue is a problem or concern that affects a community and requires people to work together to find a solution through public action or government.

Here are some clear examples of civic issues:

• Pollution in local rivers or parks

• Access to affordable housing

• School funding or quality of education

• Public transportation safety or reliability

• Voting rights and fair elections

• Homelessness in the community

• Racial or social inequality

• Climate change and environmental protection

Each of these affects the public and often involves government or community action to address.

Part 1: The 5-Paragraph Plan

• Paragraph 1: Introduction & Historical Context - Start with your thesis, then explain the circumstances that led to the purchase in the same paragraph.

• Paragraph 2: Effort #1 (Jefferson's Action) - Explain how the deal was justified and secured.

• Paragraph 3: Effort #2 (Federalist Opposition) - Explain who tried to stop the deal and why.

• Paragraph 4: Impacts on America - Explain the long-term effects of the purchase.

• Paragraph 5: Conclusion - Summarize your argument and leave the reader with a final thought.

Part 2: Thesis 

A strong essay starts with a strong thesis. Use this framework to build the main argument for the beginning of your first paragraph.

The Louisiana Purchase was a result of ____________________________ (Describe a key circumstance), and was made possible by ____________________________ (Explain Jefferson's effort) despite ____________________________ (Explain the Federalists' effort), which ultimately led to ____________________________ (Discuss an impact) for the United States.

Part 3: Essay Planning Chart

Paragraph	Your Job in This Paragraph	Evidence (Documents & Outside Facts)
1. Intro & Historical Context	This is one paragraph. Start with your hook and thesis. Then, explain the historical context: Why did the U.S. need New Orleans and the Mississippi River? Why was Napoleon suddenly willing to sell the entire territory? Sentence Starters:  • The Louisiana Purchase was a result of...  • In the early 1800s, American farmers desperately needed...  • According to Document 1, access to the Mississippi River was essential because...  • This situation became complicated when...  • Napoleon decided to sell the territory because... (Doc 2)	Doc 1: Need for Mississippi River. Doc 2: Napoleon's problems in Haiti, need for money for war. Outside Info: Haitian Revolution, Pinckney's Treaty.
Paragraph 1	____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Effort #1 (Securing the Deal)	Explain how Jefferson's administration made the purchase happen. Focus on the constitutional problem and how they justified it using the president's treaty-making powers. Sentence Starters:  • Once Napoleon made his offer, President Jefferson faced a major constitutional issue...  • As a strict constructionist, Jefferson believed... (Doc 3)  • However, members of his cabinet argued that...  • Ultimately, Jefferson used his presidential power to...	Doc 3: Jefferson uses treaty power to make the deal. Outside Info: Strict vs. Loose Construction, Senate Ratification.
Paragraph 2	____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Effort #2 (The Opposition)	Explain how the Federalist Party tried to stop the purchase. What were their main arguments against it (cost, constitutionality, fear of war with Spain)? Sentence Starters:  • Not everyone supported the purchase; the Federalist Party strongly opposed it...  • According to Document 4, the Federalists argued that...  • They were also concerned about...  • Therefore, Federalist leaders in Congress attempted to...	Doc 4: Federalists argue it's unconstitutional, too expensive, and might lead to war. Outside Info: Federalist Party vs. Democratic-Republicans.
Paragraph	____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Impacts on America	Explain the consequences. How did the U.S. physically change? How did the purchase lead to both future greatness and future conflict? Sentence Starters: • The Louisiana Purchase had profound and long-lasting impacts on the United States...  • The most immediate impact was that it doubled the size of the country... (Doc 5)  • In the long term, the purchase put America on a path to becoming... (Doc 6)  • However, the new land also created a major conflict over the issue of...	Doc 5a/5b: Doubled the size of the country. Doc 6: Became a continental power but planted seeds of conflict over slavery. Outside Info: Lewis & Clark, Manifest Destiny, Missouri Compromise.
Paragraph 4	____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion	Restate your thesis in a new way. Summarize your main points (efforts and impacts) and end with a final thought on why this event still matters today. Sentence Starters:  • In conclusion, the purchase of the Louisiana Territory was a pivotal moment...  • Faced with a critical economic need, Jefferson...  • While the purchase fueled American expansion, it also...  • The legacy of the Louisiana Purchase is...
Conclusion	________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Final Checklist 

[ ] Did I use at least FOUR documents?

[ ] Did I include outside information?

[ ] Did I cite my sources in the essay (e.g., "According to Document 1...")?

[ ] Did I complete all parts of the task?

Exit Ticket: On a post-it, please write down 3 SPECIFIC things you will do at home to keep working on your Civic Literacy Essay. Think about what will help you make it stronger — like citing evidence, fixing your introduction, or using outside information: