The social elements between 1800-1824 were mainly affected by the relationship of the American Indians and Thomas Jefferson during the time known as the Jeffersonian Era. Thomas Jefferson believed that even though Indian societies were inferior to Western culture, they still had a very primitive nobility that he thought was worthy of respect (Keene, 202). He was very optimistic in the future American- Indian relationships because of his belief in the Enlightenment. All Jefferson wanted the Indians to do was adopt Western agriculture and cultural values by abandoning their traditional ways (Keene, 203). It may not have seemed like a big request, but it was. Jefferson was asking these Indians to give up everything they have ever known to become
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These Indian revivalists attacked American and European cultural practices that were absorbed into Indian cultures. The one thing that caused the most problems among the Indians was the introduction of alcohol by traders. This caused a lot of Indians to develop alcohol addictions. There were two main movements led by two different Indian leaders, and they had different outlooks on how to deal with the encroachment of the settlers. One grouped hoped to solve everything peacefully, while the other decided to protect their lands using force. These social elements of the Jeffersonian Era show that Jefferson wanted the Indians to be a part of Western culture, but only if they conformed to his standards. He did not care for their way of life and believed it was less superior to that of his own. His main motivation for his civility towards the Indians was for his own gain, because he wanted their land. Overall, America was eager to expand westward, and they were not greatly concerned about the Indians, or with how they were going to acquire more …show more content…
In 1803, the United States came into possession of the Louisiana Territory from France, with the Louisiana Purchase. This new territory doubled the size of the United States. Six months before word spread of the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson requested money and planned for an exploration of the new land he had acquired. The main goal was to map this part of the continent. There were two men that led the “Corps of volunteers for North Western Discovery” (Keene, 201). Jefferson’s private secretary, Meriwether Lewis, and Captain William Clark were chosen to explore the Louisiana Territory, and lead a small band of explorers. They started in the frontier town of St. Louis. By using keelboats for their transportation they were able to carry a ton of supplies with them. They traveled up the Missouri River, but progress was not very fast. Sometimes they would have to pull the boats forward using ropes by wading along the bank of the river. However, on a really good day they could travel about 14 miles. This expedition involved the gathering of plants and animals and learning whatever they could about the geography of this new land. Meriwether Lewis was given the job of informing the American and European traders that were inhabiting the Louisiana Territory that they were now subject to the laws of the United States (Keene, 202). Another important assignment of this expedition was the
These Indian revivalists attacked American and European cultural practices that were absorbed into Indian cultures. The one thing that caused the most problems among the Indians was the introduction of alcohol by traders. This caused a lot of Indians to develop alcohol addictions. There were two main movements led by two different Indian leaders, and they had different outlooks on how to deal with the encroachment of the settlers. One grouped hoped to solve everything peacefully, while the other decided to protect their lands using force. These social elements of the Jeffersonian Era show that Jefferson wanted the Indians to be a part of Western culture, but only if they conformed to his standards. He did not care for their way of life and believed it was less superior to that of his own. His main motivation for his civility towards the Indians was for his own gain, because he wanted their land. Overall, America was eager to expand westward, and they were not greatly concerned about the Indians, or with how they were going to acquire more …show more content…
In 1803, the United States came into possession of the Louisiana Territory from France, with the Louisiana Purchase. This new territory doubled the size of the United States. Six months before word spread of the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson requested money and planned for an exploration of the new land he had acquired. The main goal was to map this part of the continent. There were two men that led the “Corps of volunteers for North Western Discovery” (Keene, 201). Jefferson’s private secretary, Meriwether Lewis, and Captain William Clark were chosen to explore the Louisiana Territory, and lead a small band of explorers. They started in the frontier town of St. Louis. By using keelboats for their transportation they were able to carry a ton of supplies with them. They traveled up the Missouri River, but progress was not very fast. Sometimes they would have to pull the boats forward using ropes by wading along the bank of the river. However, on a really good day they could travel about 14 miles. This expedition involved the gathering of plants and animals and learning whatever they could about the geography of this new land. Meriwether Lewis was given the job of informing the American and European traders that were inhabiting the Louisiana Territory that they were now subject to the laws of the United States (Keene, 202). Another important assignment of this expedition was the