AP US HISTORY discussion question HELP PLEASE!!!!?

Question

Ok so for my AP US history class we are required to bring in a discussion question that we are graded on, here is the question: How did Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase transform America's understanding of itself and its future? Was it inevitable that the west would become part of a much greater United States, or was their real danger in efforts like Aaron Burr's to break areas off from the rest of the country?


any help is appreiated. thanks =]

Answer 1

You're taking an AP class, smartypants! Think for yourself!

Answer 2

Well, I won't give you the entire answer but hopefully a starting point from which you can develop your own answer. Think back to when you first started this course. Where did people settle? the coastal areas mainly. Then when more people came, they began to spread out. Up until the purchase, the US thought of itself as never having to go beyond the Mississippi River. There was so much land, and so few people compared to Europe, why would they ever have to go beyond that river? However, don't you think that once the crossing of the Mississippi began, people eventually began to think bigger? (Remember immigrants are entering, a few years away, the Erie Canal is being built, etc.) Combine that with the fact of Burr's attempt and Spanish held lands in the Southwest along with Mexico's threat of rebellion who do you think had the strongest chance to win IF war over the new territory should break out? If there was one Aaron Burr, there could be others in the future.......This is mainly an opinion question, so answer away...none will be wrong as long as you can support it with facts you know today.

Answer 3

.....Control and navigation of the Mississippi River was the utmost importance to the young country. 1. Had vast tracks of frontier real estate to expand into for growing population of settlers.
2. Enormous untapped natural resources to develop economy and world trade.
3. Control--------not allow foreign powers to have back door access to the United States.
4. Mississippi was great natural navigable waterway....allowed access to native peoples, fur trapping, trading, exploration, precious metals (mining), ----power comes with control.
5. Charge others transportation fees by having control of waterway.
........anytime with the help when I can.

Answer 4

This is all a matter of speculation; hard data would be difficult to come by. So I won't offer an opinion.

Answer 5

thats creepy, my class just did that in us history today. yea i dont remember. i left my assignment at school cuz i finished it already.

Answer 6

DELETE THIS QUESTION. DISCUSSION OF THE COLLEGE BOARD EXAMS IS ILLEGAL UNTIL THE TEST IS RELEASED.