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Label the map:
Label the land boundaries in GREEN
Label the waterways in BLUE
Label the major cities in pencil
Label Baton Rouge in RED
Label PVM in ORANGE
1. How did the events of the Territorial Period affect Louisiana’s development?
The territorial period in Louisiana refers to the time from the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 until the state was admitted to the Union in 1812.
Conflicts between Creoles and Americans
The French-speaking Creoles and English-speaking Americans did not get along in New Orleans.
Fights would often break out when the two groups got together for dances or parties.
Language and cultural barriers increased the distrust.
Protests and conflict also occurred due to religion (Catholic and Protestant)
2. What key events helped shape the Territory of Orleans after the Louisiana Purchase?
The Great Slave Uprising of 1811
After 1808: slaves still were traded among state, but they could not legally be imported into US
Slaves were brought from other countries by smugglers
Slaves worked valuable Louisiana crops (sugar cane, cotton)
Background: In 1811, a free black man named Charles Deslondes and
slave named Jupiter formed a slave rebellion in St. John the Baptist Parish.
(German Coast)What happened: About 500 slaves joined the rebellion and marched toward New Orleans, looting and burning plantations.
Gen. Wade Hampton quickly assembled soldiers, attacked the slaves, and stopped the rebellion
The slaves were well trained and organized.
Influenced by the Haitian Slave Revolts
Effects:
Every Over 100 slaves was either captured or killed.
Creole’s respected Americans and Gov. Claiborne for stopping the revolt
Realization and fear of future slave revolt
Territorial Division
After the Louisiana Purchase treaty was ratified, the land purchased was organized into 2 different areas: the District of Louisiana (later the Missouri Territory) and the Territory of Orleans (would later become the state of Louisiana)
This dissection angered local Creoles, but they lacked the ability to influence it.
Territory of Orleans was governed by William C.C. Claiborne
District of Louisiana was governed by James Wilkinson
Boundary Disputes
The Neutral Strip (1806)
Background: When the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed, Louisiana’s western boundary was not clearly defined.
Both Spain and the U.S. claimed the land
General James Wilkinson negotiated a deal with Spain to create a Neutral Strip or “No Man’s Land” where neither Spanish or Americans would control.
Effects
Avoided war between U.S. and Spain
Bandits and outlaws occupied the area, committed crimes
No country had legal authority to stop criminals in this area
West Florida
Background: Spain owned West Florida but most settlers in the area were Americans.
Settlers resented Spanish rule and grew tired of having to obey Spanish laws.
West Florida Revolt (1810)
Settlers wanted to create their own government, but Spain wouldn’t allow it.
West Florida settlers led by Gen. Philemon Thomas attacked the Spanish fort in Baton Rouge killing 2 Spanish soldiers.
The rest of the Spanish garrison surrendered.
Effects: West Florida settlers declared independence and created the Republic of West Florida.
They selected St. Francisville, LA as its capital and Fulwar Skipwith was President.
After 10 weeks, U.S. President James Madison annexed West Florida as part of the Territory of Orleans.
3. How did the Louisiana Purchase impact the growth and development of the United States?
The addition of the Territory of Orleans to the United States brought population growth and economic development as the Louisiana Purchase removed the political barriers to the development of New Orleans’ natural advantages
The 1810 census had shown a population of 76,551 in the Territory of Orleans, far more than the 60,000 required for statehood.
New Orleans alone had a population of over 10,000 which made it the 5th biggest city in America.
New Orleans primary industry was the port, moving and storing goods
The port of New Orleans increased the economy of New Orleans and increased
growth in other fields such as shipbuilding and repair.
The area also saw the development of agriculture, particularly the
cultivation of sugar and cotton, which became major industries in the state.
Ordinance of 1787
Eight years after Claiborne arrived, the Territory of Orleans was ready to apply for statehood.
Almost half of the population were slaves.
Louisiana Congressman Julien Poydras successfully pushed a bill through Congress for Louisiana to begin the statehood process.
Louisiana had to do 3 things to become a state:
write a state Constitution
ratify that Constitution
elect a state governor
Louisiana’s First Constitution (1812)
The Constitution of 1812 reflected the attitude that political decisions should be made by wealthy and educated members of the upper class. And that these people are who should be able to vote.
The Constitution of 1812 stated that only adult white men who owned land and paid property taxes could vote.
This requirement prevented more than 2/3 of Louisianans from voting.
Louisiana’s First Governor (1812)
The distrust of the working class appeared again in the process of electing the governor.
Voters did not get to decide. Instead it was narrowed down to two candidates.
The Legislature then chose one of the two candidates to be governor.
William C. C. Claiborne was chosen as the 1st official governor of the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana was admitted into the United States as the 18th state on April 30th, 1812, the anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.
William C.C. Claiborne as Governor
Claiborne had a difficult job as governor.
He had to transition Louisianians to American ideals
(freedom of religion and speech)He had to teach the Creoles how to govern themselves
Claiborne faced some struggles with the Creoles in Orleans.
He was young and arrogant (Creoles don’t like this)
He did not speak French (Creoles hate this)
Creoles didn’t want to be Americans (military occupation)
Creoles feared U.S. would take away lands
Creoles Perspective on Statehood
Pros: They would have more control over their own government
(could elect governor, congressmen, and senators and pass their own laws).Cons: No experience in self-government; Under American rule for good (no going back)
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