KEY TERMS Key Terms and People to Know for the Regents Exam
Louisiana Purchase
When President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory, it doubled the size of the US and gave the US control of the Great Plains and Mississippi River.
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a large area of grasslands that stretch from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains
Mississippi River / New Orleans
The Louisiana Purchase gave the US full control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. This helped farmers in the Ohio River Valley because they could now ship goods down the river to the Gulf of Mexico.
Strict vs. Loose Interpretation of the Constitution
President Thomas Jefferson contradicted his belief of a strict interpretation of the Constitution with the Louisiana Purchase because the Constitution does not specifically give the President power to buy territory.
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Purchase to search for a possible route to the Pacific Ocean. Their expedition increased understanding of the Louisiana Territory.