The Louisiana Purchase
U.S. HISTORY
It's August, 1803 and news has just arrived that Napoleon is willing to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States for $15 million. President Jefferson, a strict constitutionalist, faces a deal that exceeds constitutional authority but offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to secure America's future. Students take on the roles of Democratic Republicans, Federalists, Western Settlers, Cabinet Advisors, and Territory Inhabitants as they debate whether to accept this unprecedented opportunity that could double the nation's size. During this role-play students wrestle with the central question: How should we balance executive power and Constitutional limitations?
During the scenario, students will debate and decide:
Territory Size - How big should America be?
Constitution - How do we justify actions not covered in the Constitution?
Governance - How should we govern new territories?
GET STARTED
Role-plays take roughly 45-70 minutes for a class to play through. To run the role-play over multiple days, use the link VOXPOP will send you to re-open your session.
Create a different session for each class that you intend to use this role-play with.
Not sure how sessions work? Feel free to create a session and step through it to get a feel for the role-play. You can create as many sessions as you need.
PREPARE TO LEAD THE ROLE-PLAY
The VOXPOP software will deliver this content to students during the role-play. Use this outline to familiarize yourself with the content of the scenario, the roles students will be assigned and the choices they will be asked to make.
DETAILS
Students: 6 to 50
Running Time: 45-60 minutes (the role-play can be broken into multiple sessions)
BACKGROUND
This video provides historical context.
ROLES
Students are assigned to the following groups:
Democratic Republicans
The Democratic Republican party supports President Jefferson and believes in westward expansion, an agrarian republic and limited federal government. They want to secure this incredible opportunity while preserving their political philosophy.
Federalists
While Federalists have traditionally pushed for expansive federal powers, they now find themselves arguing for a strict constitutional interpretation of executive powers. Some Northeastern merchants and politicians fear the purchase will flood Congress with western farming states hostile to commercial interests like trade and banking.
Western Settlers
Frontier farmers and traders see opportunity in the territory not available in the crowded east. They want land for their families to prosper, room for their children to build their own farms, and the chance to make their fortune through new settlements and trade routes.
Cabinet Advisors
Jefferson's inner circle and Cabinet see both the incredible opportunity and the constitutional obstacles. They're working to find a pragmatic solution that preserves republican government while seizing this opportunity.
Territory Inhabitants
French and Spanish colonists, free people of color, and Native American tribes currently living in Louisiana watch these negotiations with concern. They want to preserve their laws, customs, and rights under any new government.
THE ISSUES
These videos will provide students with more detailed background on specific issues.
Territory Size
How big should America be?
Proposals students consider:
Strategic Purchase
Buy only New Orleans and West Florida as originally planned - securing river access without overextending ourselves.
Entire Territory
Accept Napoleon's offer for all of Louisiana - doubling the size of the nation.
Constitution
How should we govern new territories?
Proposals students consider:
Amend the Constitution
Pass a constitutional amendment granting federal power to acquire territory before completing any purchase.
Executive Action
Ratify the purchase immediately using treaty powers.
Governance
How do we justify actions not covered in the Constitution?
Proposals students consider:
Territorial System
Establish appointed territorial governments to prepare regions for eventual statehood.
Rapid Statehood
Quickly admit new states with full representation.
EPILOGUE
A short video that lets students know what really happened.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Here are a few suggested discussion questions to pose at the end of the role-play. Please feel free to use your own.
How should we balance executive power and Constitutional limitations?
When should practical considerations override political ideals?
ADDITIONAL TEACHER RESOURCES
The Louisiana Purchase
These additional materials, activates and assessments strengthen support for student processing, engagement and comprehension. They are available as Google Docs for you to save to your Drive and share with your students. We encourage teachers to adjust these digital materials to fit the needs of your classroom.
Want to start the role-play quickly, but give your students some context before you begin? These materials allow students to preview the issues and groups before the role-play, and to summarize and reflect after the role-play. They can be done in class or assigned as homework.
Preview material ᐧ 30 mins or less ᐧ Print & go
Google Docs
Before the Role-Play
Want to create complex understanding and support for students before the role-play? These materials build understanding of issues & groups your students will be discussing before the role play through a whole-class primary source inquiry lesson.
Context & inquiry ᐧ 1-1.5 hours ᐧ Set up required
Google Docs
Before the Role-Play: Perspectives Preview
Want a follow up reflection to check for comprehension? This activity can be done in class or assigned as homework.
Reflection ᐧ 30 mins or less ᐧ Print & go
Google Docs
After the Role-Play
CREDITS
Production
Mattia Romeo
Greg Trefry
Sources
Media
Boston Public Library
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Library of Congress
Metropolitan Museum of Art
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
New York Public Library, Digital Collections
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek - Austrian National Library
Paris Musées
Smithsonian American Art Museum
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
U.S. National Parks Gallery
Wikimedia Commons
Special Thanks
Amanda Setters