Louisiana Purchase Dbq

Some historians may analyze the Louisiana Purchase and argue that when Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, he altered the shape of a nation and the course of history. However, there is considerable evidence that shows that the Louisiana Purchase influenced the United States Ideas and policies of citizenship by challenging the social hierarchy, bringing groups together, and establishing a democracy over all of the United States.
The addition of the Louisiana territory led to conflicts in the United States. The government was forced to find ways to keep the whole country intact. The social hierarchy was disrupted by the increase in citizens. The citizens of the thirteen colonies fought on why the new citizens were not to be welcomed. This caused the groups to emerge into each other in ways the government did not see right. Thomas Jefferson, the president of the time, was forced to make decisions fast, before the country went into a civil war. He then changed policies that would give the country more control over the territory. Thus changing the policies of citizens from then on.
The social hierarchy of the United States during the early 19th century was being challenged by the expansion of the territories. Adding the Louisiana territory to the …show more content…
In Article three of the Treaty ceding Louisiana, it states that “the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States.” (Source 1 pg.110) This created a new nation and led to the western expansion of the United States. This influenced the original policies of citizenship by allowing a foreign group become citizens. Claribone talks about how the change of government from French to United States, has given the territory “tranquility”. (Source 3 pg.111) No longer being under the French government, the new citizens of the United States feel safer. They felt as if their territory was not going to change