Primary
US National Archives

Nara: American Originals: Louisiana Purchase Treaty

For Students 9th - 10th
Wonderful NARA site that provides pictures of the original treaty and agreements of the Louisiana Purchase. Brief introduction discusses the amount of land purchased and the cost per acre described by the Purchase.
Website
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Lewis and Clark in Pennsylvania

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the role Lewis and Clark played in history of Pennsylvania in this detailed account. Contained within this site are links to video, maps, and pictorial images of this era.
Activity
PBS

Pbs: Events in the West: 1800 1820

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive site on the development and history of the American West. In timeline fashion, this page details the events leading up to the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It continues with information about...
Activity
Other

Gateway New Orleans: Louisiana Purchase

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a description of the terms of the Louisiana Purchase. There is a map to show the land that was included in this deal.
Handout
Son of the South

Son of the South: Westward Expansion

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the major events and acquisitions in the westward expansion of the United States. Includes Louisiana Purchase, Florida Purchase, Oregon Territory, the Republic of Texas, Gadsden Purchase, etc.
PPT
Tom Richey

Tom richey.net: The Trials of the Jeffersonians [Ppt]

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents key ideas for examining the impact of westward expansion on concepts of nationalism and democracy. Covers the Louisiana Purchase, conflict with native peoples, the War of 1812, and other events.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: American Presidency: Jefferson's Resolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Reviews Thomas Jefferson's decision to acquire the Louisiana Territory.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Missouri Compromise

For Students 5th - 8th
A good look at the issues debated about the admission of new states, particularly those that would be made from the Louisiana Purchase. Read about why the issue of allowing slavery in the new states was such a hard decision for Congress....
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Importance of the West

For Students 5th - 8th
Westward migration, west of the Appalachians, resulted in a rapid population growth. Read about where the population exploded, and why the inland rivers were so important to the growth.
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: Executive Privilege

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this interactive timeline on excutive privilege in the United States.
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: United States History Map: The Nation Expands

For Students 9th - 10th
After examining a map showing the expansion of the United States, click to read about each addition to the country and see where that addition is. Play Expansion Concentration to test your skills.
Website
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Colonial Williamsburg: Thomas Jefferson, Son of Virginia

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpted from the Colonial Williamsburg Journal, this essay offers details of Thomas Jefferson's life and his long and varied career.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Sacagawea

For Teachers 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Sacagawea, guide to Lewis and Clark as they explored the Louisiana Purchase. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Lesson Plan
US Mint

U.s. Mint: We're Going on a Bison Hunt [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
In this four-part lesson, examine the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then take the students on a simulated bison hunt to understand the importance of the bison as a food and materials source in...
Lesson Plan
US Mint

U.s. Mint: Our Goal Pole [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
In this four-part lesson, students will demonstate knowledge of the sequencing of events by studying the westward journey, use terms that indicate the sequence of events and demonstrate an understanding of certain historical figures in...
Lesson Plan
US Mint

U.s. Mint: Which Came First? [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
Introduce students to the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then, using the tails side of the Keelboat Nickel as a guide, make a timeline of the westward journey.
Lesson Plan
US Mint

U.s. Mint: Let's Build a Map [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
In this four-part instructional activity, students study the map of the Louisiana Purchase and the trail of Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then, build a classroom map displaying the events of the Westward Expansion.
Lesson Plan
US Mint

U.s Mint: Which Side Is Which [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
Introduce students to the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then take a look at the Peace Medal nickel and differentiate between heads and the tails sides. Finally, do a coin-flip activity, and record and analyze the...
Graphic
Other

U.s. Genealogy Map Project: u.s. Border/land Claims 1804 1823

For Students 9th - 10th
A great map and a list of the acquisitions and border changes of the United States from 1804 to 1823. A concise resource showing Western expansion.
Interactive
University of Oregon

Mapping History Project: Territorial Expansion of the u.s. 1783 1853

For Students 9th - 10th
Click on the sliding bar and watch how the United States territory grew with the Louisiana Purchase, Florida Acquisitions, Texas Annexation, Oregon Country, and Mexican Cession.
Interactive
University of Oregon

Mapping History Project: Missouri Compromise: 1820

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive map showing free states and territories and slave states and territories before and after the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Click on the map to choose before or after and the key. Shockwave required.
Graphic
University of Chicago

University of Chicago Press: Historic Maps of Louisiana

For Students 9th - 10th
Features nine maps that represent examples of the one hundred ninety three included in the book "Charting Louisiana" that highlights the history of Louisiana from the sixteenth century to the present. Each map includes an essay for...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Teachers: Journeys West

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which students explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Interactive
Other

Animated Atlas: Growth of a Nation

For Students 3rd - 8th
A 10-minute movie showing the expansion of the United States after the end of the Revolutionary War. Follow the directions to start the movie and listen to the explanations.