Double Trouble: Unraveling the Louisiana Purchase

Westward Ho! Dive into the Louisiana Purchase with this engaging reading comprehension worksheet!
Students will embark on a journey to understand this pivotal moment in American history. They'll grapple with:

• A Land Deal for the Ages: Explore the negotiations and motivations behind the purchase.
• Double the Territory, Double the Opportunity: Analyze the impact on westward expansion.
• Challenges and Dreams of Early Settlers: Uncover the hardships and hopes of those who ventured west.
• A Primary Source Peek: Decipher Thomas Jefferson's vision through a letter excerpt.

Sharpen essential reading skills with a variety of questions:

• Multiple Choice: Test core factual knowledge.
• Matching: Connect terms with their definitions.
• Fill-in-the-Blank: Solidify essential details and chronology.
• Short Answer: Encourage analysis, synthesis, and evaluation using a primary source excerpt.

Answer Key included for easy assessment!

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to explain the key events and figures involved in the Louisiana Purchase.
• Students will be able to analyze the motivations behind the purchase and its impact on westward expansion.
• Students will be able to evaluate the challenges and opportunities faced by early settlers.
• Students will be able to use a primary source to understand historical figures' perspectives.

Recommended Common Core Standards:

• RI.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says or when analyzing its content.
• RI.5.2: Determine the central ideas or author's purpose of a text and explain how it is supported by key details.
• RI.5.3: Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a text.
• RI.5.6: Analyze the author's point of view in a text and distinguish it from the narrator's or character's point of view.

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Review:
This reading comprehension worksheet provides a comprehensive overview of the Louisiana Purchase and its significance in American history. It covers:

• The historical context leading up to the purchase, including the negotiations between the US and France.
• The reasons behind President Jefferson's decision to acquire such a vast territory.
• The impact of the purchase on westward expansion, opening up new land for settlement and exploration.
• The challenges faced by early settlers venturing west, including harsh environments and encounters with Native American tribes.
• A primary source excerpt from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, offering students a glimpse into his vision for the future.