Westward Expansion — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The Louisiana Purchase was bought from Spain in 1803.
Corrected: The Louisiana Purchase was bought from France in 1803.
The corrected sentence is: "The Louisiana Purchase was bought from France in 1803.". The original sentence "The Louisiana Purchase was bought from Spain in 1803." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Manifest Destiny said Americans should expand to the Atlantic Ocean.
Corrected: Manifest Destiny said Americans should expand to the Pacific Ocean.
The corrected sentence is: "Manifest Destiny said Americans should expand to the Pacific Ocean.". The original sentence "Manifest Destiny said Americans should expand to the Atlantic Ocean." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Territory without any help.
Corrected: Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Territory with help from Sacagawea.
The corrected sentence is: "Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Territory with help from Sacagawea.". The original sentence "Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Territory without any help." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. President Jefferson approved the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France for about $15 million — doubling the nation's size.
2. The Louisiana Purchase roughly doubled the size of the United States.
The Louisiana Purchase added about 828,000 square miles, roughly doubling the country's territory.
3. The belief that Americans had a right to expand west was called Manifest Destiny.
Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the US was destined to expand across the North American continent.
4. Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark as a guide and interpreter on their expedition.
Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman, served as interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark's expedition (1804-1806).
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why was the Louisiana Purchase important for the United States?
Sample answer: It doubled the size of the country and gave Americans access to new land, rivers, and resources west of the Mississippi River.
The Louisiana Purchase (1803) gave the US control of the Mississippi River and opened vast western lands for settlement.
2. What was the purpose of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Sample answer: President Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore the new Louisiana Territory, map the land, and learn about the plants, animals, and native peoples living there.
The expedition (1804-1806) mapped the Missouri River, made contact with Native nations, and reached the Pacific Ocean.