Doubling the Nation
Doubling the Nation is a Grade 5 history skill in Pengi Social Studies, Chapter 8: Westward Expansion. Students learn about the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States, and the Lewis and Clark expedition sent to explore and map the vast new territory.
Key Concepts
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson made a historic deal with France called the Louisiana Purchase . This single purchase doubled the size of the United States overnight, extending the country from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
To explore this unknown territory, Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (the Corps of Discovery) on an expedition. Their goal was to map the land, find a water route to the Pacific, and establish contact with Native American tribes.
Common Questions
What was the Louisiana Purchase?
The Louisiana Purchase was a 1803 deal in which President Thomas Jefferson bought a massive territory from France, doubling the size of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
Who were Lewis and Clark?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery, an expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory, map the land, and contact Native American tribes.
Why did Jefferson send Lewis and Clark?
Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to map the newly purchased territory, find a water route to the Pacific Ocean, and make contact with Native American tribes.
How did the Louisiana Purchase change the United States?
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the US overnight, extending the country from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
What chapter covers the Louisiana Purchase in Pengi Social Studies Grade 5?
Doubling the Nation and the Louisiana Purchase are covered in Chapter 8: Westward Expansion in Pengi Social Studies Grade 5.