Haiti and the Louisiana Purchase
• In 1801, Toussaint L'Ouverture led black slaves in a revolt in Haiti against the French, killing 35,000 French soldiers.
• Haiti became an independent nation in 1804.
• France was on the brink of war with Great Britain and needed money.
• Therefore, the French leader, Napolean, sold all of Louisiana to the U.S. for $15 million in 1803.
* The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S.!
• Lewis and Clark were sent to find an all water route across the continent.
• Sacajawea, a Shoshone woman, served as their guide and interpreter.
• They did not find an all water route across the continent, but they did:
- learn a lot about the land
- start friendly relations with Native American tribes
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